Observations from Day 4 of Bengals training camp

The Cincinnati Bengals held their first full-padded practice of training camp on Monday but did not do any live tackling periods.

Here are some observations from the fourth practice, which drew a crowd of 1,350.

Sooner speed

Second-round pick Joe Mixon has flashed his speed since the start of camp, but he was at his most explosive Monday when he right tackle Jake Fisher and right guard Trey Hopkins opened a huge hole. Mixon beat the linebackers and defensive backs to the corner and outran all of them.

As was the case the day after the Bengals drafted Mixon and he was greeted by a large ovation at a draft party at the Paul Brown Stadium, fans continue to embrace the controversial running back, who was suspended for his freshman year at Oklahoma after punching a female college student in the face.

“I hear them. It’s a great feeling,” Mixon said. “But I’m just here to make plays and help my team win.”

Mixon celebrated his long run by high-fiving the fans as he jogged back up field.

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Wayward kicks

With Jonathan Brown released earlier in the day, rookie fifth-rounder Jake Elliott was the only kicker who attempted field goals as incumbent Randy Bullock stayed with the scheduled day off. Elliott missed his first official field goal attempt of camp — and badly — when his 40-yarder went wide left.

Elliott also missed a kick Sunday when the coaches tried to ice him by calling a timeout as he was about to swing his foot into the ball.

Elliott’s other three attempts Monday were good from 35, 42 and 44 yards.

Punter Kevin Huber also had an off day, with a couple of his kicks sailing out of bounds while another landed far short of the where the returner was positioned.

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Not so warm welcome

The Bengals signed free agent safety Cedric Thompson in wake of the injuries to George Iloka and Derron Smith, and quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver Brandon LaFell torched him on a deep ball after a pump fake and double move.

While Dalton was celebrating the touchdown, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther had some playful words the quarterback before slapping his hand and congratulating him on the throw.

Injury update

Right guard Andre Smith missed practice with an undisclosed injury, but he was working on the side rehab field and offensive line coach Paul Alexander expects him back tomorrow.

Defensive end Michael Johnson missed his third consecutive practice and joined Smith on the rehab field. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said Johnson is “a little dinged up” and he’ll be back in a day or two.

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Neither George Iloka nor Derron Smith were at practice after leaving early with injuries on Sunday, while running back Giovani Bernard got a rest day as part of his recovery from ACL surgery.

Wide receiver Chris Brown and cornerback Tony McRae left practice early with undisclosed injuries.

Wide receiver Jake Kumerow missed his third consecutive practice with an ankle injury, while rookie sixth-round safety Brandon Wilson (Physically Unable to Perform list) andn running back Cedric Peerman (Non-Football Injury list) worked on the rehab field.

Undrafted running back Jarveon Williams made his practice debut after being cleared from the PUP list.

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