Jordan Battle's Interception of Joe Burrow Adds Juice to Bengals D in Final Tune-up Before Preseason Opener

Tuesday’s Cincinnati Bengals practice was light on participation, tight on space and slight on activity.

Numerous players dealing with tightness and tweaks took the day off for the final practice before Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium.

It also was the second practice in five days forced inside due to weather, as storm clouds and rain rolled in about 30 minutes into the session.

Once inside the indoor facility, the Bengals only ran one period of 11-on-11. The first drive by the first-team offense ended with the defensive highlight of the day, with Jordan Battle ranging over from his single-high alignment to intercept a Joe Burrow deep ball intended for Ja’Marr Chase.

Jordan Battle reads the deep ball from Joe Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase perfectly and makes the pick. pic.twitter.com/6yhIpCUTK0
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) August 11, 2026

It was the second time in Battle’s four-year career that he has intercepted Burrow in a training camp practice, with the first coming last year, also during an indoor session.

“Very rare,” Battle said. “I was more of a robber last year. This time I was out in the middle of the field.”

“It's all about knowing where Uno (Chase) is on the field," Battle said. "When you're playing middle of the field, you've just got to know certain things, see the quarterback's shoulder -- if it's high, it it's low -- so you can go from breaking down to breaking high.

“I was just reading his eyes and seeing the release of Uno,” he continued. “I saw him going deep, and just breaking before the throw allows you to make plays. I was happy he threw it because I knew I had a chance to make a play, and I did.”

Battle recorded a career-high four interceptions last year after snaring just one in each of his first two seasons in the league.

His four last year were tied for the fourth most in the league among safeties. They also are tied for the fourth most by a safety in Bengals history behind Reggie Nelson (eight, 2015), Kevin Kaseviharn (six, 2006) and Shawn Williams (five, 2018).

While practice picks don’t mean much in the overall picture, Battle said they do have value.

“They keep the energy up and gets us started,” he said. “After that, they fumbled a snap and we had a couple (tackles for loss). It’s just a spark for the defense. Obviously you don’t have momentum in practice, so we create momentum for ourselves.

“I feel like we’ve been doing a good job of that all training camp.”

Battling it out. pic.twitter.com/eNPiP8yIlh
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 11, 2026

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed the starters will play some Thursday against the Lions, although Battle's running mate at safety, Bryan Cook, will not be one of them. Nor will cornerback Dax Hill as both defensive backs deal with soft tissue tweaks.

Battle said he’s happy about Taylor's decision.

Obviously, you don’t want the first regular-season game to be the first time you’re tackling somebody. That can lead to bad things,” he said. “So I love the idea of playing in preseason games, being able to go out there and work on those things now so I don’t have to worry about them in Week 1.

“I’m ready to put my pads on and hit somebody else and take them to the ground,” he added. “It’s a long offseason. It feels like the time is finally here. I’m excited for this defense. I’m excited for myself. I’m excited to see what we do as a team. It’s been looking good. Let’s hope we continue on that path.”

Burrow, as he’s wont to do, got revenge on the defense on the next drive, marching the offense to the 2-yard line after hitting Andrei Iosivas on a slant to set up first and goal.

Burrow’s pass for Chase at the front pylon was broken up by Josh Newton. But Burrow went back to the same spot, only this time with Tee Higgins as the target, and the receiver made a one-handed snag and somehow tapped both feet as he was flying out of bounds at the pylon.

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