Bengals Quick Hits: PJ Jules, Maema Njongmeta Make Their Cases, Jermaine Burton, Daijahn Anthony Limp Off Injured as Colts Rout Bengals, 41-14, in Preseason Finale

CINCINNATI — Bengals reserves didn’t exactly put on a show for those who bothered to attend Saturday’s preseason finale at Paycor Stadium.

Riley Leonard completed 15-of-20 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown while Ulysses Bentley IV punched in two touchdown runs in a 41-14 rout of the Bengals Saturday at Paycor Stadium.

The Bengals finish the preseason 1-2 and have had six straight losing preseasons, dating back to their last winning preseason in 2018, and missed out on their chance at a winning preseason preseason for the first time in the Zac Taylor era.

The biggest news of this game were two injuries that could impact the final roster cuts on Tuesday. Jermaine Burton, nursing a sore knee that arose in the first preseason game against the Eagles, limped off the field following a three-yard punt return with 11 minutes left. He was seen by medical staff and remained on the bench but did not return.

Daijahn Anthony limped off the field later in the second quarter grabbing his right hamstring and limping on the sideline near the bench. Again, he did not return.

Both Anthony and Burton played in a game typically reserved for players trying to make the back ends of rosters, practice squads or make an impression for other NFL teams. Cut deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Desmond Ridder did not impress in his chance to start and play most of the preseason finale. He completed just 7-of-16 passes for 66 yards in the first half and threw a pick-6 to Daniel Scott on a pass intended for Burton. Ridder stumbled on the drop and then didn’t see Scott in the middle of the field.

Ridder was pulled after two series in the third quarter, finishing 8-of-20 for 75 yards and a 30.2 passer rating. Desmond Ridder ran it from one on fourth-and-goal after the Bengals had been stopped on fourth-and-goal moments earlier. The

Former Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard led three impressive drives in the first half and chewed up the Bengals defense, completing 15-of-20 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. Howard Cross III intercepted Jason Bean at the Colts 36, after Isaiah Thomas tipped the pass at the line of scrimmage. But indicative of the day, Cross fumbled the ball after a brief return and the Colts recovered.

His best throw was a 59-yarder to Laquon Treadwell to the post over Nate Brooks for an easy touchdown.

The starting offensive line included Caleb Etienne at left tackle, Jaxson Kirkland at left guard, Matt Lee at center, rookie Jalen Rivers at right guard and Andrew Coker at right tackle.

Kirkland, someone fighting for a spot on the backend of the roster as a backup offensive lineman, had a pair of penalties (holding, false start) that helped stall the drive and could hurt his cause come Tuesday.

The officials played too much of a factor on one particular play as PJ Jules stepped up and made a nice stop on running back DJ Giddens but was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting, an awful overreaction by the men in stripes. But perhaps they are trying to put players on notice but if that’s going to be the standard, then players won’t be able to express themselves at all.

But overall, Jules all over the field making plays and tackles in the first half. That was about the only highlight defensively for the Bengals all day. Jules finished the first half with four unassisted tackles and a special teams tackle. Maema Njongmeta, battling with Shaka Heyward and Joe Giles-Harris for a final linebacker spot, had seven tackles and as assist on special teams in the first half.

Kendall Milton broke free on a run up the middle for 41 yards and finished with eight carries for 72 yards. Gary Brightwell, also trying to find a spot somewhere in the NFL, finished with six carries for 22 yards.

Cincinnati running back Quali Conley ran it in from four yards with 13 seconds left to cap off the scoring.