Demetrius Knight Jr. prepares differently for Bengals' joint practice

Linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. is gearing up for his second NFL season with the Cincinnati Bengals, treating an upcoming joint practice with the Chicago Bears on August 20 as a critical game-like opportunity. This practice follows a previous year without joint sessions, as head coach Zac Taylor aimed to focus on team development. Knight emphasizes the importance of preparation, having studied film of the Bears and the Detroit Lions prior to the Bengals' preseason opener on August 13. His approach marks a shift from his first year, where emphasis was placed on learning a new defensive scheme rather than opponent analysis. The Bengals are looking to enhance their defensive performance ahead of the regular season beginning September 13.

• 6:22 PMYahoo Sports — Demetrius Knight Jr. doing things differently for Bengals in Year 2