Bengals could be without their top two wide receivers in matchup vs. Patriots
Ja'Marr Chase was listed as questionable while Tee Higgins is doubtful for Sunday's game against New England.
The Patriots might receive a bit of a break in their season-opening matchup against the Bengals.
Bengals standout receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins’s statuses for Sunday’s game are in question. Chase told reporters Friday that he’s a “game-time decision” for the game against the Patriots. If he were to play, Chase said he’d be “limited.”
The Bengals later listed Chase as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Chase returned to Bengals practice this week after “holding in” during training camp and the preseason. The three-time Pro Bowl receiver is seeking an extension after becoming extension-eligible this offseason.
The months-long saga surrounding Chase’s contract situation might end soon, though. Chase suggested that an extension agreement could be in sight, but added that Friday is likely the deadline to get a deal done before pausing talks for the season.
“I wanna say we’re off a little bit but it’s in reach,” Chase told reporters. “We’re pretty close, a few numbers need to be switched around and changed other places, but I would say we’re pretty close.”
As for Higgins, he didn’t practice on Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game. The Bengals’ other top receiver “tweaked” his hamstring in practice on Thursday, head coach Zac Taylor told reporters.
Cincinnati missing either Chase or Higgins would obviously be a blow for Sunday’s game. Both receivers had over 1,000 receiving yards in their first two seasons together before injuries limited Higgins in 2023.
Chase and Higgns also had strong performances in the Bengals’ last matchup with the Patriots in 2022. Higgins had a better day between the two, recording eight receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown as part of their 22-18 win at Gillette Stadium. Chase added eight receptions for 79 yards.
If the Bengals were without both Chase and Higgins, their starting receivers for Sunday’s game would likely be a group of lesser accomplished or younger players. Second-year player Andrei Iosivas, third-round rookie Jermaine Burton, and veteran Trenton Irwin are the three players next listed at receiver on the Bengals’ depth chart. Irwin had two of his five career touchdown receptions in the aforementioned matchup against the Patriots in 2022.
Meanwhile, the Patriots’ secondary should be in full health for Sunday’s game. Veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones was a full participant at Thursday’s practice after missing much of training camp due to a hamstring injury.
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