CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have listed starting wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday.
Both key offensive targets participated in Friday’s practice, running routes and catching passes during the window open to reporters, according to The Big Lead. However, Cincinnati has yet to confirm whether either player will suit up for the Week 5 contest, NBC Sports reported.
Injury recoveries and protocol hurdles
Chase is working his way through the NFL’s concussion protocol following a head injury sustained in the first half of the Bengals’ 22-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before exiting that game, Chase caught three passes for 27 yards. After sitting out Wednesday’s session, he returned to the field in uniform on Thursday as a limited participant, The Big Lead reported. Taylor noted that Chase will likely be available to play Sunday if he receives formal medical clearance on Saturday, according to NBC Sports.
Higgins is attempting to recover from an adductor issue that forced him out late in the fourth quarter against Jacksonville. The team’s official injury report also noted groin and neck ailments earlier in the week, The Big Lead reported. Higgins sat out practice on Wednesday and Thursday before returning in limited fashion on Friday. Before his injury against the Jaguars, Higgins produced a standout effort, hauling in 11 receptions for 157 yards.
Beyond Chase and Higgins, Cincinnati faces additional uncertainty across the roster. Head coach Zac Taylor noted that safety Bryan Cook is also listed as questionable with an ankle injury after sitting out the Jacksonville game and returning to practice Thursday, NBC Sports reported. Rookie wideout Colbie Young has also been designated as questionable due to a knee injury.
Next men up for Cincinnati
If neither primary receiver is cleared, the Bengals will rely on a thinned receiving depth chart consisting of Young, Mitchell Tinsley, and Dohnte Meyers on the active 53-man roster, NBC Sports reported. Meyers stepped into a prominent role against Jacksonville, recording seven catches for 82 yards on nine targets, Fantasy Sports On SI reported.
Meyers told reporters after practice that his perspective shifted immediately when Chase went down last week, explaining that he felt compelled to step up and battle on his teammate’s behalf, Sports Illustrated reported.
“Work, work and practicing reps, that’s something we both take serious and we take pride in, that’s something he recognizes and continues to work at,” Meyers said regarding his rapport with quarterback Joe Burrow, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
Cincinnati carries a 2-2 record into the Sunday afternoon road matchup in Miami, which kicks off at 1 p.m. Eastern time. The Bengals have a scheduled bye in Week 6, which could provide additional recovery time if team medical staff chooses caution regarding their star receivers.
Final determinations on the status of Chase and Higgins are expected by Saturday or during pregame inactive announcements on Sunday morning.
