Cincinnati Bengals - July 9, 2026

Girls Flag Football Now Officially A Sanctioned High School Sport In Ohio

Plus: Previewing the Bengals' deep tight end rotating as the...

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GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL NOW OHSAA'S 29TH SPORT

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has elevated girls flag football to a fully recognized sport for the 2026-27 school year, following a unanimous vote of the OHSAA Board of Directors at its June meeting.

Girls flag football becomes the OHSAA's 29th recognized sport, including 15 sports for girls and 14 for boys. There are now 23 high school state associations in the United States that sanction girls flag football and a total of 40 states that offer girls high school football programs. Flag football will be included as a new sport in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

BENGALS ENTER 2026 WITH A DEEP TIGHT END ROOM

Cincinnati's tight end group is marked by depth and versatility. Mike Gesicki led the unit with 307 yards receiving despite missing Weeks 7-11 with a pectoral injury suffered in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers. His best game of the season came in a snowy battle with the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, where Gesicki caught six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Erick All Jr. missed the entirety of the 2025 season as he recovered from a torn ACL he suffered in November of 2024. Before the injury, All had a promising 2024, catching 20 passes in nine games played with six starts.

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN THE JUNGLE: THE RAVENS FLY IN

The two AFC North rivals have played 61 times, with the Ravens holding a slight 33-28 advantage. The two teams split the season series in 2025 as Cincinnati defeated the Ravens in Baltimore on Thanksgiving night 32-14.

The Bengals' offensive line returns all five starters to match up against their former teammate Hendrickson, Young and the new-look Ravens defensive line. Meanwhile, Flowers and the new weapons for Jackson will go up against a Cincinnati secondary that had a big addition of its own in former Chiefs S Bryan Cook. CBs DJ Turner II and Dax Hill held Flowers to five catches for 74 yards in the two matchups last season.