The Cincinnati Bengals could have a wide receiver issue in their first game of the season as Tee Higgins is dealing with a concerning problem ahead of their opener against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Higgins was a surprise inclusion on the Week 1 injury report on Thursday and did not come out for practice on Friday morning.
The wideout was listed as “limited” on Thursday because of a hamstring issue. Higgins previously claimed the problem was nothing to worry about, but team beat reporter Kelsey Conway revealed he was not with the rest of the team’s receivers on Friday.
“All of the Bengals wide receivers are on a separate field catching passes from the QBs and Tee Higgins is not out here with them,” Conway tweeted. “Higgins popped up on the injury report yesterday as a limited participant with a hamstring injury.”
All of the Bengals wide receivers are on a separate field catching passes from the QBs and Tee Higgins is not out here with them.
Higgins popped up on the injury report yesterday as a limited participant with a hamstring injury. #Bengals
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) September 6, 2024
And if that news wasn’t bad enough, Higgins has since been ruled as “doubtful” on the Bengals’ final injury report heading into Sunday’s contest vs. the Patriots.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the #Patriots. pic.twitter.com/btaBQVyEiA
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 6, 2024
Tee Higgins Is Hardly The Only Worry For The Bengals Right Now
Tee Higgins is not the only wide receiver presenting angst nearing the first game of the season. Ja’Marr Chase is also a huge question mark.
Chase was at practice on Friday, having also been listed as “limited” over the last two days, but isn’t sure of suiting up.
Chase and the Bengals are still at a contract impasse, but there is hope that the financial issues can be sorted out before Sunday’s game. His being at practice does not necessarily mean that he will play against the Patriots.
#Bengals star WR JaMarr Chase will consider playing this Sunday even without a new contract, but is calling himself a “game time decision” pic.twitter.com/dCo7uI7cgC
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 6, 2024
Bengals owner Mike Brown previously insisted that the team would do whatever is necessary to extend the star WR.
“He’s a key player. Next to Joe, he’s our next one. And he knows it, we know it,” he said in July. “We are gonna bend over backwards to get it done. I can’t tell you when, though.”
Cincy fans will be keen on the final injury report ahead of the fixture, with both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins possible additions heading into the opener.
