Update on Tee Higgins injury: Bengals WR likely not to face Patriots in season opener

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returns on Sunday after missing the final six games of the 2023 season, but he may be without his two best weapons. Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase could miss their Week 1 game against the New England Patriots due to injury and Contract negotiationsrespectively.

Higgins' participation is in doubt after Bengals coach Zac Taylor said, according to ESPN, that Higgins “strained” his thigh during practice on Thursday. When asked if he would be ready for the home game, Taylor was uncertain, saying, “We'll see.”

According to ESPN, Higgins was listed as a limited participant on the team's injury report Thursday and did not practice Friday. The extent of Higgins' injury is unknown.

Taylor used the same language when discussing Chase's status, saying “we'll see” if he plays given contract issues with the team. Chase was a “hesitant” but ultimately practiced as a limited participant on Wednesday. Chase says a deal is within reach, but without an official contract extension, his status remains unknown.

Higgins was also looking for a new contract in the offseason, but the two sides could not agree on a long-term deal and he decided to keep the franchise tag rather than wait for it.

Last season, Chase was the team's leading receiver with 100 passes caught for 1,217 yards and seven touchdowns. Higgins finished the season with 42 passes caught for 656 yards and five touchdowns.

The Bengals' wide receivers also include rookie Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones and Trenton Irwin. Cincinnati's running game, which is anchored by Zack Moss and Chase Brown, could see more action if the Bengals are thin at the wide receiver position. Tight ends Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample are two other pass-catching options for Burrow.

Luckily for the Bengals, they face one of the weaker teams in the league. The Patriots' defense is certainly better than their offense, but with a new year coach in Jerod Mayo and the loss of a star like Matt Judon to the Atlanta Falcons, the threat is more neutralized.

Whether Chase and/or Higgins are on the field, the game will Kick-off Sunday at 1pm at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.