ESPN's Stephen A. Smith went off on Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor over a decision involving quarterback Joe Burrow.

Stephen A. Smith went scorched earth on Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor over his Joe Burrow Decision.

With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Joe Burrow has a pair of standout receivers to target in the passing game. But the quarterback is backing another player that is fighting for a roster spot, one who put on a show Monday night against the Washington Commanders.

Burrow’s preference comes through in the answer. It’s “great” to get the deals done early, like the Bengals did with Higgins and Chase. And while the NFL is a deadline-driven business, the deadline when a player is holding in shouldn’t be Week 1. It should be tied to the practical deadline for getting the player ready to go for Week 1.

CINCINNATI — Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson's hold-in continues. He hasn't participated in training camp practices, but has been with the team and was in Landover, Maryland for Cincinnati's matchup against the Washington Commanders.

"Well Jake Browning, he comes in now," Troy Aikman said during the broadcast. "He takes over. Oh, excuse me. No Burrow, he's back in."

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow played three series to open Monday night's game against the Commanders and the final possession saw him sharing the field with a different supporting cast.