National Football League

Winston gets 2nd opportunity for Buccaneers

Published Aug. 23, 2015 12:06 p.m. ET

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A look at what to expect in Monday night's preseason game:

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BENGALS AT BUCCANEERS, 8 p.m.

Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jameis Winston was resilient in his preseason debut against Minnesota, overcoming some early mistakes to lead a long touchdown drive he capped with an 8-yard run. Coach Lovie Smith plans to play his starters at least a quarter, although Winston may wind up going a little longer after playing a full half in the 26-16 loss to the Vikings.

Quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian has been impressed by how fast the No. 1 overall selection has picked up the offense. Smith is looking for continued progress in a number of areas in the nationally televised matchup against Cincinnati, including starting faster; elimination of turnovers; making some of the routine throws he missed in the opener; and continuing to build chemistry with receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.

Veteran right tackle Gosder Cherilus, signed last weekend after Demar Dotson was injured, probably won't start. However, he's likely to play some with the No. 1 offense as the Bucs seek answers on an offensive line that already was a concern.

Andy Dalton and the Bengals' offense were sharp in a 23-10 win over the New York Giants, working less than three minutes while scoring on their only drive of the game. Dalton was 3 of 3 for 31 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown throw to Mohamed Sanu. Running back Jeremy Hill carried twice on the six-play, 52-yard march, gaining 15 yards.

Bengals DE Michael Johnson, back in Cincinnati after spending 2014 with Tampa Bay, will not play because of a knee injury that also kept him out against the Giants. Reserve running backs Cedric Peerman and Rex Burkhead left last week's game with knee injuries that are not expected to keep them from playing against the Bucs. AJ McCarron, competing for the No. 2 quarterback job behind Dalton, did not play against the Giants because of pulled muscles in his side.

Winston is the fifth quarterback drafted No. 1 overall to face the Bengals during the preseason of his rookie year. The others are Vinny Testaverde (Tampa Bay 1987), Peyton Manning (Indianapolis 1998), Cam Newton (Carolina 2011) and Andrew Luck (Indianapolis 2012).

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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