Paul Dehner Jr.

pdehnerjr@enquirer.com

The Bengals' preseason schedule was released Thursday and fills with reunions. Cincinnati will open the slate at home against former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, then travel to Detroit to match up with the biggest name to depart in free agency, receiver Marvin Jones.

The preseason concludes with a national television game at Jacksonville on NBC Sunday Night Football and the traditional fourth tilt against Indianapolis coming at home.

Here's the complete schedule:

Week 1: MINNESOTA at Paul Brown Stadium, weekend of Aug. 11-15

Week 2: at Detroit, weekend of Aug. 18-22

Week 3: at Jacksonville, Sun., Aug. 28, 8 p.m. (NBC)

Week 4: INDIANAPOLIS at Paul Brown Stadium, Sept. 1 or 2.

This year marks the first time the Bengals play the Vikings in the preseason since 1997. Placing the matchup in the first week would fit a tradition in recent years of taking part in two joint practices in the days leading up to the first preseason game. The Bengals did so in Atlanta in 2013 and then again at home with the Giants last year. Marvin Lewis stated in the past that he likes the break in camp monotony and competition provided. Bringing Zimmer and the comfort level with him as a coach and practice style would make perfect sense.

Zimmer's roster contains a Bengals' hue with offensive lineman Andre Smith, linebacker Emmanuel Lamur and cornerback Terence Newman all former Bengals.

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For the second time in three seasons, the Bengals were hit with a national television road game late in the third week followed by the short turnaround for the fourth game. In 2013, the Bengals took part in a Sunday Night Football Game at Arizona. This marks the seventh consecutive preseason with a national television game of some sort.

The Lions make a return to the preseason slate, marking the fifth time the two teams have met in the Marvin Lewis Era. On top of re-uniting with Jones, former Bengals defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry will face his former mates.

Cincinnati concludes by taking its turn hosting the fourth preseason game against Indianapolis. The two teams met at Lucas Oil Stadium last year.

The regular season schedule is expected to be released in about two weeks. The regular-season opponents are already set with home games against Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, Denver, Buffalo, Miami and Philadelphia. Road games are at Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, New York Giants, New York Jets, New England, Houston and Dallas. Those go along with an Oct. 30 game against Washington in London.