He didn’t play during Chicago’s opening possession, but safety Jessie Bates joined the first-team defense within the first seven minutes of the Bengals’ preseason opener. Bates, currently listed as Cincinnati’s backup free safety, played 29 snaps on Thursday.
Starting FS George Iloka re-entered the game early in the second quarter at strong safety alongside Bates. Pre-draft analysis on Bates included phrases like “quick in coverage transitions,” “impressive fluidity,” “instinctive,” and “pattern recognition.”
“I think he does have range,” said defensive backs coach Robert Livingston after Cincinnati selected Bates in the second-round this year.