The Bengals are getting their firepower back just in time.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, both banged up in last week’s loss to Jacksonville, are set to play against the Dolphins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday morning. That’s a huge break for Cincinnati, which had to survive for stretches without its top two receivers.
Chase exited with a concussion, while Higgins was hurt on one of the final plays and later showed up on the injury report with a groin and neck designation. Neither player practiced Wednesday.
Higgins remained out on Thursday, and Chase was limited, which made Higgins look like the bigger concern. By Friday, though, both were full participants and listed as questionable.
Chase was still in concussion protocol on Friday and needed to be cleared, while Higgins was considered day-to-day. Even so, getting both back on the field always looked like a positive sign, and now the Bengals can attack Miami with the full version of Joe Burrow’s passing game.
That matters a lot after Burrow threw for 428 yards last week despite losing both wideouts for much of the game. Chase and Higgins remain two of the league’s most dangerous receivers, and their chemistry with Burrow is what makes this offense hum.
Their return also changes the picture for the rest of Cincinnati’s offense. Dohnte Meyers, Mitchell Tinsley and tight end Mike Gesicki all saw bigger opportunities while Chase and Higgins were sidelined, but those looks should shrink now. Chase Brown could also gain from the attention the Dolphins will have to pay to the Bengals’ two vertical threats.
Miami, meanwhile, has shown it can be pushed through the air. The Dolphins are 0-4 and just allowed Kyler Murray to throw for 247 yards, with 119 of those going to tight end T.J.
Hockenson. The week before, Patrick Mahomes managed 246 yards and two touchdowns against them, with Rashee Rice leading the way on seven catches for 88 yards.
It sets up as a must-win for both sides. The Dolphins are still chasing their first victory, and another home loss would sting. Cincinnati sits at 2-2 and has to keep moving in a tight AFC North, where the Browns and Ravens are both 3-1.
The Bengals enter the game as 7-point favorites, with the over/under set at 44.5.
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