Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returns Sunday after missing the final six games of the 2023 season, but he may be without his two main weapons. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase could be sidelined for their Week 1 game against the New England Patriots as they deal with injury and contract negotiationsrespectively.
On Friday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Higgins “tweaked” his hamstring in practice on Thursday, via ESPN. When asked if he would be ready to go for the home opener, Taylor wasn’t confident either way, saying, “we’ll see.”
On the team’s injury report, Higgins was listed as a limited participant on Thursday and did not practice on Friday, via ESPN. The extent of Higgins’ injury is not known.
Taylor used the same rhetoric when talking about Chase’s status, saying “we’ll see” if he plays, amid contract issues with the team. Chase was a “holdout,” but finally practiced Wednesday as a limited participant. Chase says a deal is within reach, but without an official extension, his status will remain unknown.
Higgins also sought a new contract this offseason, but the two sides were unable to agree on a long-term contract and he decided to go with the franchise tag, rather than hold out.
Last season, Chase was the team’s leading receiver with 100 receptions, 1,217 yards and seven touchdowns. Higgins finished with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns.
The Bengals’ wide receiver room also includes rookie Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones and Trenton Irwin. Cincinnati’s running game, which features Zack Moss and Chase Brown, may get more looks if the Bengals are thin at the wide receiver position. Tight ends Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample are two other pass-catching options for Burrow.
Fortunately for the Bengals, they are going up against one of the weaker teams in the league. The Patriots defense is certainly better than their offense, but with a first-year coach in Jerod Mayo and losing a star like Matt Judon to the Atlanta Falcons, the threat becomes more neutralized.
Whether Chase and/or Higgins is on the field, the game will kicks off Sunday at 1pm at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
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