The Bengals are heading into the final stretch before their Sept. 13 opener with both of their top receivers on the injury report, and Zac Taylor isn’t ready to sound the alarm.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both sat out Tuesday’s practice, but Taylor said he expects each of them to be in good shape by the end of the week. Cincinnati still has time on its side before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and that breathing room matters with the season opener less than two weeks away.
Chase’s issue is the bigger one on paper. He’s working through a hyperextended left knee that he suffered in practice on Aug.
- The 26-year-old lost his footing while going after a deep ball from Joe Burrow, stayed down briefly, then headed off the field.
He remained on the sideline for the rest of that session and hasn’t practiced since.
After Tuesday’s workout, Taylor said Chase will be limited during the week, though he sounded comfortable with where the receiver stands.
The Bengals’ schedule gives them some cushion here. They won’t play until Sept. 13, have two more practice days ahead, then get three days off over Labor Day weekend.
Cincinnati isn’t expected to start its regular-season prep until Sept. 7.
Higgins is dealing with something different. Taylor called it a small heel contusion, and that injury is also expected to cut into his work this week.
Both receivers are coming off big seasons. Chase put together another monster year, leading the NFL with 185 targets in 16 starts and ranking third with 125 catches. He finished with 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns, earned first-team All-Pro honors for the second straight season and made his fifth straight Pro Bowl.
Higgins reached the Pro Bowl for the first time last season, posting 59 receptions, 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 15 games, including 14 starts. Over his five seasons since entering the league in 2020, he has totaled 389 catches, 5,441 yards and 45 touchdowns in 85 regular-season games.
In Other News...
Bengals Final Roster Leaves Two Thin Spots Fans Will Watch Closely
The Bengals have set their 53-man roster for the regular season, and the final cutdown brought a few decisions that will shape the early part of the year. Landon Robinson made the team, Ke'Shawn Williams earned both a wide receiver spot and return duties, and Josh Newton found his way onto the roster after Ja'Sir Taylor was placed on injured reserve. Those moves helped clarify the back end of the roster while also showing how much the coaching staff values versatility in a few key spots.
Even with the roster now official, there are still a couple of areas fans will keep an eye on once the games start. Linebacker depth looks thin, and running back depth is another spot that could be tested before long. The good news for Cincinnati is that the overall makeup still points to a team with plenty of upside on both sides of the ball, even if a few of the margins remain tighter than ideal. [Read more 🡒]
Former Bengals Cut Is Suddenly Worth Watching In Detroit
Jacob Saylors path back into the league has been anything but direct since the Bengals moved on from the undrafted rookie free agent in 2023. He has bounced around practice squads since then, but his strong work in the 2026 preseason has put him in position to stick with Detroit in a meaningful role, which is a notable turn for a player Cincinnati once had in camp and then let go.
The Lions appear ready to use Saylors as the backup behind Jahmyr Gibbs, and Dan Campbell has already shown confidence in him as the next man up if Isiah Pacheco is unavailable. For Bengals fans, it is the kind of familiar development that can linger a little longer than it should, especially when a former cut suddenly looks like a useful piece somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Practice Squad Decisions Put A Few Familiar Names Back In Play
The Bengals added five players to their practice squad, continuing to reshape the depth chart behind the active roster as the season moves on. Among the new names are quarterback Josh Johnson and tight end Tanner Hudson, both of whom bring familiarity to the organization, along with defensive end Garmon Randolph, cornerback Trikweze Bridges and tackle Blake Freeland as Cincinnati looks to keep enough experienced bodies available for the weekly grind.
Johnsons career path has taken him through plenty of NFL stops, while Hudson has already shown he can carve out a role as a pass-catching tight end when given the chance. Their return gives the Bengals some added insurance at positions where injuries and short-term roster churn can quickly change the picture, and the current practice squad now reflects that blend of familiar veterans and developmental pieces the team wants on hand as the stretch run approaches. [Read more 🡒]