Just when the Cincinnati Bengals thought their wide receiver room was fully intact again, Tee Higgins pulled up lame.
Higgins, playing this season on the franchise tag, “tweaked his hamstring” on Thursday and did not practice on Friday, head coach Zac Taylor said. Higgins was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s season opener against the visiting New England Patriots.
Meanwhile wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who finally returned to practice this week, called himself a “game-time decision” for Sunday’s game. Officially, the Bengals listed Chase (rest) as questionable while ruling out defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (thumb) and offensive tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral).
Chase told reporters Friday he would consider playing without a new contract, but that he would likely be “limited” if he takes the field.
“I’m confident it’ll get done,” Chase said of his ongoing negotiations for an extension. “I know my worth. They know my worth.”
A reporter asked Chase about reports he is seeking one penny more than Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension.
“If I want to beat Justin Jefferson, I’m going to beat the (expletive) out of Justin,” Chase answered. “Not by a penny, brother.”
The Bengals had both of their star wideouts on the field together for just two practices — Wednesday and Thursday — because of Chase’s contract dispute.
While Higgins signed his franchise tender in July and participated in training camp, Chase isn’t pleased to be playing the 2024 season at a base salary just over $1 million.
Higgins said “I feel great” when asked about his hamstring injury and appearance on the injury report on Thursday. He went as far as to rate his condition as “the best I’ve felt heading into Week 1” in his career.
Hamstring injuries are not new and Higgins has been listed on the injury report at least one game at some point every season because of it.
Taylor was not ready to declare Higgins available for Sunday’s game.
“We’ll see,” Taylor said.
Taylor said the other injury development since Wednesday was Jenkins undergoing thumb surgery. Jenkins is out but will be reevaluated before Week 2.
–Field Level Media
