Bengals Beam with Pride Following Tycen Anderson's Breakout Performance Against Packers

The second-year safety had two interceptions and a pick-six on Friday night against Green Bay.

Author:
Elise Jesse
Publish date:
Aug 13, 2023 9:39 AM EDT

In this story:

Tycen Anderson spent nearly his entire rookie season on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Even when he fully recovered, he was buried on Cincinnati's depth chart.

Anderson knew he had a lot to prove on Friday night in Cincinnati’s first preseason opener. He did that and then some in front of over 64,000 Bengals fans.

With Green Bay in a third-down situation and Sean Clifford in shotgun, Cincinnati’s defensive line brought the pressure. Defensive tackle Dominique Davis put pressure on Clifford and forced him into a rushed throw off of his back foot. He was throwing to Dontayvion Wicks, but Anderson anticipated the throw and jumped the route. He hauled in his first interception in the NFL and returned it for a pick-six.

“We did a good job of disguising the coverage, " Anderson said after the game. “It was a Cover Two Man [coverage] and the quarterback didn’t really see me coming. Once I seen the drag route coming from the other side and I seen the quarterback throwing it and said, ‘oh snap, he’s really about to throw the ball’ and I just made a great play.”

Right before the first half ended, the Packers were trying to make something happen on 2nd-and-long when Cincinnati’s defensive line put more heat on the rookie signal-caller. This time it was Jeff Gunter bringing pressure up the middle, forcing Clifford to throw it to Tucker Kraft. Once again, Anderson was there. He muscled the ball away from Kraft for his second interception of the night.

“I just think that on that play everything came together and I was able to get in his face kind of quickly and Tycen made a helluva play,” Gunter told All Bengals. “I’m very proud of him. I’m happy for my boy and I’m glad he did it.”

Last year, the fifth-rounder knew he had a lot to prove, he’d endure a devastating injury, and spent the rest of that season rehabbing and trying to get back to full force in an attempt to make a name for himself this year.

Longtime NFL veteran safety Mike Thomas was holding back emotion as he spoke with pride about the young guy behind him on the depth chart.

“I’ve been there,” Thomas said. “I know what it’s like having this game pretty much taken from you because it’s outside of your control if you’re going to play, if you can come back, especially dealing with an injury."

Thomas knows from first hand experience how frustrating it is to have a season cut short by injury. He suffered a torn pectoral muscle during the 2020 season while playing on a one-year contract with the Houston Texans. He was out for the rest of the year and didn't sign with the Bengals until the following October.

"For the work he put in to get to this moment tonight, all I’ve ever told Tycen was, ‘when you get your opportunity take advantage of it'. Try to make that 'I’m here' moment," Thomas said. "Go make the play. Don’t make it close, go make the play, leave no doubt. I feel like a proud big brother because I’ve been there, you know what I’m saying? I’ve been there and that’s what you need. You need plays like that to make it so I’m excited for him and I‘m proud.”

His teammates noticed the work Anderson was putting in behind the scenes.

“I saw how much work he put in last year especially during this offseason so I’m over-the-moon for him. I’m rooting for him and I hope he continues to work,” Gunter said. "Staying the course and working without playing time and the glory that comes with it can be a difficult thing to do for many. Anderson didn’t go off track. He kept his head down and continued to study, get stronger, and work with the hope of having a productive 2023 season. He started the year with a bang."

The Bengals secondary has been doubted a lot during the offseason simply because of its youth. What some don’t realize is that the Bengals have veterans like Thomas pouring knowledge and energy into the young players on a daily basis during meetings and in practice.

Thomas enjoyed watching everything come together for the young guys in the locker room. His genuine happiness was displayed through the ear-to-ear smile he had on his face as he tried to find words to express the pride he felt watching Anderson’s journey.

“Year 12, that’s as gratifying as me making the play myself, maybe there’s a reason why I’m still around," Thomas said. "Why I still want to be around so again, I’m proud of him. I’m lost for words but proud of my guy.”

Anderson hopes this is the start of a long, successful NFL career. His rookie season didn't go the way he wanted, but year two is off to a great start.

“A lot of hard work went in to get to this moment here, " Anderson said. "I’m just blessed to be in this position. A lot of things that you guys didn’t see that I was going through last year. I’m just blessed to be with the group of guys that we are here with and happy to be able to make those plays when the ball comes my way."

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