The Cincinnati Bengals opened their Week 5 preparations with more questions than answers on Monday afternoon. Sunday’s 22-17 loss to the Jaguars dropped Zac Taylor’s team to 2-2. The bigger concern, however, came from the injuries. Both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins sustained blows at Paycor Stadium.
Ja’Marr Chase suffered a concussion after a hard second-quarter hit and did not return. Tee Higgins then caught 11 passes for 157 yards on 16 targets before exiting the game in the fourth quarter with an adductor injury. He tried to return but couldn’t play more than one snap.
Taylor shared an update on the wide receiver duo while speaking to the media on Monday.
“We’ll take them day-to-day. Ja’Marr is still in concussion protocol,” Taylor said.
The update does not give Cincinnati much clarity heading into Sunday’s game against Miami. The Bengals coach added that the Bengals should have a better idea of their status on Wednesday.
Chase and Higgins Face Different Challenges
Chase still has to work through the concussion protocol before he can return. The Bengals will have to wait for him to progress through the required steps before knowing whether he can play Sunday.
Higgins’ adductor injury could make it difficult for him to cut and accelerate at full speed. He already tried to return on Sunday but could not run his route properly. The Bengals will have to be careful with his recovery.
Cincinnati also has Andrei Iosivas on injured reserve with a thumb injury. Colbie Young is also dealing with a knee injury. That leaves Mitchell Tinsley and Dohnte Meyers as the team’s main outside options if Chase and Higgins cannot play.
Joe Burrow and Dan Pitcher May Need a New Plan
The uncertainty at wide receiver could force offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher to adjust the game plan. Burrow threw for 428 yards against Jacksonville, but Cincinnati struggled to create offense once its top receivers were unavailable.
The Bengals could use more multiple-tight-end sets with Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, and Tanner Hudson in the WR duo’s absence. They will also need more from the running game after producing just 23 rushing yards against Jacksonville.
The Bengals travel to Miami to face the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. ET. Cincinnati will have to prepare for multiple scenarios at receiver and find a way to keep the offense moving if Chase and Higgins are limited or unavailable.
