Bengals release first depth chart of season

Team opens preseason Friday at home vs. Tampa Bay

The Cincinnati Bengals released their first depth chart of the season Tuesday with no real surprises.

Pat Sims is listed as the starter at defensive tackle next to Geno Atkins, filling the role vacated by Domata Peko. And Eric Winston is the backup at both left tackle, behind Cedric Ogbuehi, and right tackle, behind Jake Fisher.

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Second-year linebacker Nick Vigil, who has been running with the first team since OTAs, is officially designated at the starter at SAM backer, with Kevin Minter at MIKE and Vontaze Burfict at WIL.

Also of note is that William Jackson is listed as Adam Jones’ backup at right cornerback ahead of Darqueze Dennard as the two battle for the starting job in the opener while Jones is suspended.

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The depth chart loses credibility when looking at the running back hierarchy, which has rookie-second pick Joe Mixon fourth behind Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard and Cedric Peerman, who has yet to practice in training camp.

In the same vein, Randy Bullock is listed as the starting kicker ahead of rookie fifth-round pick Jake Elliott.

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Of some interest in the special teams listing is the fact that Mixon, the rookie second-round pick, is tabbed as the backup kick returner behind Alex Erickson.

At punt returner, Jones is followed by Erickson and Tyler Boyd.

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