Bengals Injury Report: Geno Stone’s Week-to-Week Status

By Jason Bolton August 13, 2025 01:12

The Cincinnati Bengals are cautiously managing the injury status of starting safety Geno Stone, who is currently sidelined with a soft tissue injury, specifically a minor hamstring issue. Amid preseason action and the looming regular season, Stone’s week-to-week designation has significant implications for the Bengals’ defensive backfield and their preparations moving forward.

Stone’s injury occurred early during the Bengals’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on August 7, 2025, when he suffered the hamstring setback on just the third play of the game. Despite briefly returning for a fourth snap, the injury forced him out of the game and has since kept him off the field. Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed the nature of the injury as soft tissue and classified Stone as “week-to-week,” emphasizing that it is a short-term issue with no indications of long-term concern.

Stone’s status means he is likely to miss at least the Bengals' second preseason game against the Washington Commanders on August 18, and possibly the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts on August 23. The team is prioritizing his health to ensure he reaches full fitness by Week 1 of the regular season, where Cincinnati opens at home against the Colts.

Stone, who played every game in his rookie Bengals season after signing a two-year, $14 million deal (later renegotiated to reduce his salary for the final year), has been a key fixture in Cincinnati’s secondary. Last season, he started all 17 games, playing a vital role in the Bengals’ defensive schemes with his versatility and playmaking ability in coverage and run support.

With Stone sidelined, the Bengals are turning to depth options Tycen Anderson and Daijahn Anthony, both of whom are looking to prove they can step up with increased defensive reps. Anderson, limited by injuries in previous seasons, has yet to see defensive snaps in regular-season action but has been a solid special teams contributor. Anthony, a seventh-round draft pick in 2024, appeared in 13 games mostly on special teams with limited defensive snaps. Both have been sharing first-team safety reps in practice as the Bengals evaluate their readiness and development.

Coach Zac Taylor highlighted the importance of these next practices for Anderson and Anthony: “They’ve got to prove that they can walk in there and help us on defense as well. Those are guys that these next six practices will be really good for.” The team is also giving opportunities to rookie PJ Jules, who has shown promise in practice, including an interception in a recent red zone drill, signaling continued competition for snaps at safety.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are continuing their cautious management of other defensive backs, including cornerback Dax Hill, who is progressing in recovery from an ACL tear, and Cam Taylor-Britt, who is working back from his soft-tissue injury.

In summary, Geno Stone’s injury is an unfortunate but manageable setback for the Bengals. His week-to-week status suggests a focused approach on recovery, aiming for full health by the start of the regular season. The opportunity for backups like Anderson, Anthony, and Jules to showcase their abilities will be crucial in maintaining depth and performance at the safety position. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as Stone works toward a timely return to solidify Cincinnati’s secondary for another competitive season.