CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals could be without their top two wide receivers when they travel to face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 11, after Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both missed Wednesday’s practice with injuries.
Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Wednesday that Chase remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol after leaving the Oct. 4 loss to Jacksonville, while Higgins was slated for limited participation in the afternoon session with a groin injury. Neither player’s status for Sunday has been decided.
The absences compound a growing problem in Cincinnati’s receiver room. Andrei Iosivas is out at least a month with a torn thumb ligament suffered on special teams Sept. 20 at Houston, and rookie Colbie Young, who hurt his left knee Sept. 27 at Pittsburgh, only returned to practice Wednesday.
Quarterback Joe Burrow said he is confident in the depth behind the stars. “We don’t really know what Sunday’s going to look like yet,” Burrow said. “Could be a lot of guys that haven’t had a ton of reps, and it could be guys that have had a ton of reps. I feel confident whoever we put out there, we’re gonna make it work.”
Burrow singled out Dohnte Meyers, who caught seven passes for 82 yards against Jacksonville, and Mitch Tinsley, who was cut after training camp but brought back before the Jaguars game, as options he trusts. Meyers and Tinsley were both key on Cincinnati’s final drive of the 22-17 loss.
Higgins’ limited session is at least a step forward — he did not take the field on the game-deciding drive against Jacksonville. Taylor said the team will know more as the week progresses, with the Bengals visiting the winless Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
