The Bengals walked out of Week 4 with more than just a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. They also came away with uncertainty around the two receivers who drive so much of their offense.
Ja’Marr Chase left early after taking a hard tackle and is still in concussion protocol. Tee Higgins also exited late with an adductor injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Chase and Higgins are both in a shaky spot for Week 5, with Higgins now day-to-day.
“Bengals HC Zac Taylor said WR Ja’Marr Chase remains in concussion protocol, and Tee Higgins is now considered day-to-day due to his adductor injury,” Schefter reports.
That leaves Cincinnati in a tricky place after dropping to 2-2 and sitting tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for last in the division. The timing isn’t ideal, but the matchup might at least soften the blow. The Bengals face the 0-4 Miami Dolphins in Week 5, and with a bye coming in Week 6, there’s at least a case for playing it cautiously with both wideouts.
If Chase and Higgins can’t go, Cincinnati would be missing a major chunk of its passing game. Andrei Iosivas is already on injured reserve, which only adds to the concern. Still, the Bengals would have Joe Burrow, Chase Brown, and the tight end group available, along with a receiver room that would have to step up if the top two options sit.
For now, the situation is simple: Higgins is day-to-day, Chase is still in concussion protocol, and both remain questionable for Week 5. A strong week of practice could change that, but it’s very much up in the air whether the Bengals will have their best pass-catchers on the field next weekend.
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Austin Jacksons grip on the Dolphins starting right tackle job has become a real storyline through the first month of the 2026 season. After four weeks of allowing multiple pressures, sacks and penalties, the veteran has put Miami in a familiar spot for an offense trying to stabilize the edge while carrying bigger expectations everywhere else.
The Dolphins have already started looking around for answers, with veteran Caedan Wallace and rookies Melvin Priestly and Dodji Dahoue getting a closer look as the staff searches for better play. There is also consideration being given to positional changes involving Kadyn Proctor, a sign that Miami is willing to keep testing options while it pushes a youth-and-development approach and tries to find a cleaner solution at right tackle. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Fans Wont Love This Brian Thomas Jr. Trade Buzz
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Bleacher Report floated a possible framework involving Miami sending a 2027 third-round pick to Jacksonville, a kind of deal that would speak to how aggressively the Dolphins may need to think if they want to change the feel of this season. For the Jaguars, moving a player with Thomass talent would not be easy to sell, and his inconsistency only adds another layer to a conversation that is likely to linger until someone actually makes the call. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Fans Are Still Waiting To See If Hafley Is Right
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Now the focus shifts quickly to Cincinnati, where the Dolphins will try to show that Hafleys confidence is rooted in something more concrete than hope. The Bengals offer the next chance to prove the team can turn practice-room progress into results, and for a fan base waiting to see signs of a real course correction, this game feels like more than just another date on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]