The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t trot out many starters on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 of the preseason.
But right tackle Jonah Williams was one of them.
Williams, fresh off offseason knee surgery and the first position change of his pro career, was the only offensive starter to suit up for the Bengals in the exhibition.
The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. confirmed this was all part of the plan, with coaches wanting one final confirmation that Williams is all the way back and adjusting well to the switch.
And to Williams’ credit, he looked like a natural in the role, getting good jumps off the snap and mostly shuttering the guys trying to get past him.
Williams previously looking good at right tackle even helped the Bengals make the decision to move Jackson Carman back to the left side, clearing some of the logjam on the right side.
While the Bengals still have La’el Collins on the way back from injury at right tackle too, the early returns and pre-Week 1 confirmation that the position change is going well all but cement Williams as the season-long starter.
