Bengals: Four players to watch against Atlanta

Cincinnati's second preseason game takes place Thursday at Atlanta. Here are four players to watch:

1. CB Terence Newman: The free agent from the Cowboys is being considered for a starting spot and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said Newman looks as good as he did during Dallas' prime years. That may be the case in practice and last week against the Jets rookies and journeyman at receiver. How will it look against Roddy White and Julio Jones? If Newman plans to jump into the rotation and even challenge Nate Clements for a starting spot he'll need to show he can handle elite duos like the Falcons boast.

2. RB Dan Herron: The sixth-round pick out of Ohio State will see his biggest opportunity to impress the coaches against Atlanta. Top two starters BenJarvus Green-Ellis (foot) and Bernard Scott (hand) will miss the game with injuries and those extra carries will fall to Herron and Aaron Brown. Herron was slowed early in camp by injuries but finally returned to health. With a full backfield set to make the roster he'll need to make enough of an impact to warrant the Bengals finding a spot for him on the practice squad. This will be the game to find out.

3. LB Vontaze Burfict: Can this undrafted rookie with all the college storylines continue his redemption run this preseason? He intercepted Andy Dalton in the mock game and Tim Tebow in the opener. With LB Rey Maualuga out he'll see extended time at MLB. One or two more games like the last against the Jets and he will earn a spot on this roster. Coach Marvin Lewis said Burfict will be an NFL starter and as long as his trend of playmaking continues the rookie's journey will begin in Cincinnati.

4. OL Clint Boling: This will be his first game starting at left guard following the season-ending knee injury to starter Travelle Wharton. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said Boling was pushing for the starting position at both guard positions before the injury and will be up to the challenge. All the talk sounds great but the film won't lie. Will Boling be a liability with the first team or will he place a stranglehold on the newly opened starting spot?

Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for updates of the game and training camp on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLCIN.