Bengals coach reveals reason for Jordan Battle's absence

Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle has been a major question mark for fans over the first four games of the season.

Battle looked like a second-year player on a serious rise entering 2024, so it came as a shock to see he’s played just one percent of the defensive snaps so far.

On the same day coaches lit into Cam Taylor-Britt, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo revealed what’s going on with Battle, according to ESPN’s Ben Baby: “When he came in, just started off a little bit slow in training camp, for whatever reason. (He) has progressed as we’ve gotten along. So if he continues that upward trend, then, we’ll work him in there.”

Battle’s playing time has been so small that it was a fair point of speculation. The team brought back Vonn Bell to help fix communication issues that plagued the defense last year and the veteran has dominated the snap counts.

For now, the Bengals like what they have with Geno Stone and Bell at the safety spot. Whether that changes after the defense’s miserable start remains to be seen, but some of it apparently rests on Battle’s shoulders, too.