Status for both star Bengals receivers remains unclear heading into Week 1 matchup with Patriots
Both of the star Bengals receivers are facing questions about their availability heading into the Week 1 matchup with the Patriots. Will the Patriots get to face a limited version of that high-powered Cincinnati offense?
The Patriots defense is slated for a tough test in Week 1, against a high-power Bengals offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. However, it’s now looking like they could dodge facing the two star Bengals receivers – at least to some extent.
Chase has been involved in a hold-in throughout the summer as he looks for a contract extension from the Bengals. He returned to practice this week, but was limited all three days. On Friday Chase spoke with reporters for the first time this summer. Among other things, he said he sees himself as a ‘game-time decision’ for Sunday, and he’ll likely be limited if he does play (although he did add he’s willing to play without a contract getting done). Chase was officially listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week on Friday.
Then there’s Higgins, who also wanted a new deal in the offseason after getting franchise tagged but didn’t get one. He was a full participant this summer but was added to the injury report on Thursday as limited with a hamstring injury. Higgins was limited again on Friday and is listed as doubtful for the game. 94 percent of players listed as doubtful last year didn’t end up playing in their team’s game that week.
While it’s not yet certain Chase and/or Higgins won’t play all together, it seems very possible that Cincinnati will have to get by at least some of the games with none or neither of them on the field. Depth Bengals receivers could be in for bigger roles. That group includes Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin, Charlie Jones, and rookie Jermaine Burton. Irwin in particular had an impactful against the Patriots in the 2022 matchup, catching three passes for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bengals’ injury report continues beyond the wide receiver position. Rookie offensive tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral) and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (thumb) were both ruled out on Friday. Jenkins, a second-round pick this past spring, stands out as a potentially big loss as he was drafted to help improve the Bengals’ 30th-ranked run defense from a year ago. Meanwhile, Burrow (wrist), Burton (toe), and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (not injury related/rest) were removed from the injury report on Friday.
WATCH: Bengals receivers situation w/Mike Petragia on the Sports Hub Patriots Podcast
Meanwhile for the Patriots, guard Sidy Sow (ankle) was the only player ruled out on Friday after not practicing all week. We touched on what the line could look like without Sow in our weekly ‘5 Things’ game preview here.
Only three other players are listed on the injury report for the Patriots. Running back Antonio Gibson (hip), offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (abdomen), and linebacker Joshua Uche (foot) are all questionable. Gibson and Lowe were limited at practice on Friday, while Uche was a full participant.
The Patriots also removed five players from the injury report on Friday. Tight end Hunter Henry (foot), defensive end Deatrich Wise (hamstring), linebackers Anfernee Jennings (wrist) and Oshane Ximines (ankle), and cornerback Jonathan Jones (hamstring) are all full-go for Sunday. Linebacker Christian Elliss (concussion) was removed from the report earlier this week as well.
