CINCINNATI — Surprise Thursday limited injury report listings are usually a bad sign, and the Cincinnati Bengals received one today with wide receiver Tee Higgins slowed by a hamstring issue.
Higgins is an important part of the Cincinnati game plan under any circumstance, but especially so with Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s availability still in question.
But there is reason to believe Higgins’ situation is not as serious as some Thursday limited additions, which often indicate a player who suffered an injury in practice and was unable to continue.
Bengals Add Second Starting Wide Receiver to Injury Report
Higgins came into the locker room after practice and went straight to his locker to hold court with the media, following through with the promise he made Wednesday that he would talk today.
“It’s definitely the best I’ve felt going into Week 1, Higgins said. “I’m physically fine and mentally ready. I’m just ready to get out there.”
The injury report had not been released at that point.
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“I feel good, man. Ready. Excited,” Higgins said when asked about opening the season Sunday against the New England Patriots.
“I feel amazing. I’m just ready to go,” he added.
The Bengals will hold their final practice of the week, a walkthrough, Friday morning at 11. Head coach Zac Taylor is scheduled to speak with reporters afterward, and he should provide an update on Higgins.
Chase was listed as limited with a “Non-Injury Related-Rest” designation for the second day in a row as he works his way back from an extended absence from practice due to his contract hold-in.
He said Wednesday he would talk to reporters Friday.
Higgins joined quarterback Joe Burrow in proclaiming Chase as ready to go.
“It’s good to see him out there on the other side of me,” Higgins said. “He’s physically in shape and mentally ready, and that’s all you can ask for, especially with him sitting out as long as he did. I feel like he’s ready.”
Higgins was one of three new additions to the injury report.
Veteran linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither was limited with a “NIR-Rest” designation, while rookie third-round wide receiver Jermaine Burton was added to the list with a toe issue, although he still was a full participant.
Bengals WR shows up as a surprise Thursday limited with a hamstring, but he also just said in the locker room he feels better than ever. pic.twitter.com/hgGFGXnKES
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 5, 2024
Two other rookies were limited for the second day in a row.
First-round offensive tackle Amarius Mims has been dealing with a pectoral injury since the Aug. 10 preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Taylor already has said that Trent Brown will start at right tackle Sunday as the Bengals work Mims back to full health before they can assess which player will be the better option moving forward.
Second-round defensive tackle Kris Jenkins has a thumb injury. He’s been wearing a splint that goes from the thumb to the wrist for the last two days. Today, the splint and his entire right hand were wrapped like a club.
The final injury report with game statuses will be released Friday afternoon.
A couple of upgrades on the Patriots injury report, but they also have a surprise Thursday limited: pic.twitter.com/v8K2DOKA4l
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 5, 2024
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