The Cincinnati Bengals suffered more than just a defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Their prominent offensive players, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, sustained injuries during the game.
Chase encountered a concussion while Higgins endured an adductor injury. Their participation in the Bengals’ Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, becomes uncertain. However, Chase’s presence at practice on Thursday indicates progress. As ESPN’s Ben Baby reported, Chase is advancing through the concussion protocol. This development suggests potential availability for Sunday’s game, although he remains under evaluation and hasn’t received full clearance.
The incident leading to Chase’s injury occurred in the second quarter, initiated by a face mask tackle from Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, which led to an additional hit from another defender. This resulted in a 15-yard penalty for Jacksonville. Despite leaving the field independently, Chase missed the remainder of the match. In the first four games, Chase accumulated 212 yards with three touchdowns from 21 receptions, ranking behind Higgins in targets and total yards, with Higgins having amassed 401 yards.
On the other hand, Tee Higgins is expected to miss the upcoming game as he was absent from practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday. Jeremy Rauch from Fox19 reported that Higgins engaged in light jogging on the rehab field, suggesting limited recovery progress.
For the 2-2 Bengals, missing their key receivers, even temporarily, poses significant challenges. Fortunately, their next opponent, the 0-4 Miami Dolphins, provides some hope for a favorable outcome. However, the importance of each game in the NFL cannot be underestimated.