Cincinnati’s offense may be getting some help at just the right time.
Tee Higgins is officially questionable for Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins after dealing with an adductor injury from the Bengals’ Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Higgins, who was listed with groin and neck issues, was able to practice in full on Friday, and that late-week participation is at least a positive sign for his availability on Sunday.
Ja’Marr Chase is also questionable after a concussion, but he, too, practiced fully on Friday. Adding to the optimism, the Bengals did not elevate a receiver from the practice squad ahead of Week 5, even with both star wideouts carrying questionable tags.
That could point to a real chance both play against Miami, though nothing is locked in yet. If either one is active, the workload could be heavy against a Dolphins defense that ranks 31st in the league in EPA/Pass this season.
Higgins has played in all four games for Cincinnati in 2026 and has been productive when healthy. He has 25 catches on 39 targets for 401 yards and one touchdown. His biggest outing came in Week 4 against Jacksonville, when he caught 11 of 15 targets for 157 yards before exiting.
Even with the injury cloud hanging over Higgins, the Bengals’ passing game still looks interesting from a betting standpoint in this matchup. SI Betting’s Iain MacMillan highlighted Joe Burrow as a player to target, pointing to a Miami defense that ranks 28th in opponent dropback success rate and 29th in opponent dropback EPA.
“No matter who is at receiver for the Bengals in this game, I still have confidence that Joe Burrow can carve up this Dolphins defense. Miami ranks 28th in opponent dropback success rate and 29th in opponent dropback EPA.
Burrow has gotten off to a slow start this season, but that hasn't been abnormal for him throughout his career. Now is around the time for him to hit his stride and start racking up yards.”
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Bengals Week 5 Passing Order Just Got A Lot Trickier
The Bengals Week 5 passing pecking order is getting crowded again with JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins back in the mix, and that changes the fantasy picture as much as the on-field one. For anyone trying to sort through the options, Mike Gesicki looks like the steadier play, especially against a Miami defense that has been friendlier to tight ends than to wideouts.
Dohnte Meyers, meanwhile, is the tougher sell now that the Cincinnati passing game is back closer to full strength. Miamis coverage profile makes wide receiver production harder to come by, and Meyers outlook takes a hit with Chase and Higgins both active, leaving his role more vulnerable than it was when the Bengals were shuffling through earlier weeks. [Read more 🡒]