“Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, both listed as questionable for today, both will play against the Dolphins,” Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on his X account.

Chase, who left Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a concussion, had yet to be cleared to play in Week 5 when the Bengals travel to the Sunshine State for a date with the 0-4 Dolphins. Finally, it looks like he’s been given the green light.

The former LSU standout practiced with no limitations on Friday, but he was still listed as questionable to play Sunday. According to ESPN, Chase was required to be cleared by an independent neurologist, as is procedure under NFL head injury/concussion protocol. By all accounts, it looks like the independent neurologist has signed off on Chase, and he is active. He won’t be alone, as he will be joined by his partner in crime, Higgins.

Tee Higgins injury update

Coming into the game, it’s 50/50 whether Cincinnati will dress both Chase and Higgins, one of the two, or neither, against the Dolphins. Higgins, dealing with groin and neck injuries, has been reportedly cleared, too. Although he was nowhere to be seen during the open-to-media portion of the Bengals’ Friday practice, he was still dubbed a full participant by the team’s official injury report.

Higgins had missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, further growing speculation ahead of Week 5 of the NFL. Although ESPN’s fantasy football app stated Higgins was in more danger of missing Week 5 than Chase, both have been cleared to go. Cincinnati will have its two-headed monster available, and that should strike fear right into Miami’s eyes.

WR depth chart

With or without Chase and Higgins, the Bengals were favored to prevail over the Dolphins. However, it’s clear they might be in for a far more fun evening with the star WR duo active in Miami Gardens.

Had Chase and/or Higgins been inactive, their depth at wide receiver may not have been enough to defeat an 0-4 side that has recently shown signs of life, and will be counting on its old good friends, the sun and humidity in Vice City, to take down Joe Burrow and company. With Chase and Higgins active, the Bengals’ help at wideout includes: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Colbie Young (also questionable), Dohnte Meyers, and Michael Tinsley.

Even with the two star wide receivers suiting up, they may not be fully healthy, and that would only spell trouble for the Bengals. Key players RB Chase Brown and Mike Gesicki may be asked to play a big role for Cincinnati in the Sunshine State.

Key takeaways

• Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will both play in Week 5 against Miami.
• Ja’Marr Chase has cleared protocol after leaving Week 4 with a concussion.
• The Bengals are 2-2 entering their game against the Dolphins (0-4).

Dohnte Meyers and Tee Higgins are the other two options Joe Burrow has in the passing game. Behind Chase, there aren’t names on the Bengals’ depth chart.

Mitch Tinsley is the other name Zac Taylor has in his receiving corps. Without a doubt, Chase’s injury is a major blow to a team looking to establish itself as a contender in the AFC North.

The impact of Chase on the Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase has been absolute money so far in the 2026 NFL season, already hauling in 18 receptions for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns over the Bengals’ opening stretch. His importance to Cincinnati’s offense can’t be overstated—he remains Joe Burrow‘s ultimate go-to guy and the primary engine driving their entire passing game.

Beyond just his raw stats, Chase’s ability to pull safety coverage and turn short routes into explosive, game-changing plays is what opens up everything else for Cincy’s playbook. When the Bengals need a clutch conversion on 3rd down or a spark in the red zone, number 1 is almost always the answer.

Tee Higgins takes center stage

With Ja’Marr Chase likely sidelined, Tee Higgins immediately slides into that undisputed WR1 spot, taking on the heavy lifting and getting fed high-value targets in Cincinnati’s passing attack.

He’s already shown he can comfortably carry the load as Joe Burrow’s primary option, stacking up 14 receptions for 244 yards and a touchdown across the first three weeks of the 2026 season—highlighted by a crisp 6-catch, 90-yard outing against Pittsburgh.

Key takeaways

• Ja’Marr Chase is out of the game following a facemask penalty against Jacksonville.
• 18 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns were recorded by Chase early this season.
• 14 receptions for 244 yards have been accumulated by Tee Higgins through three games.

Dowdle won’t be playing vs Bengals due to a toe injury that happened early in the Steelers game against the Patriots. He briefly returned before going out again, and now, he’ll miss a game.

As for Warren, his shoulder injury should not be an impediment for him to play. In fact, Steelers RB coach Ramon Chinyoung claimed Warren will be a workhorse vs. Bengals. “With Rico being in the position he is now, Jaylen (Warren) is going to go out, he’s going lead the group and when he needs a breather, we’ll make sure he can receive that so he can perform and be as fresh as possible.”

The Steelers running game is in big debt

The Steelers rushing offense has been practically nonexistent through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season. Under new head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio, the team’s commitment to a new West Coast scheme has completely stalled on the ground.

In Week 1, the Steelers had just 58 rushing yards. The very next week, they ran for 91 yards. The team is literally ranked 29th in rushing yards gained. The playcalling and scheme is not going according to plan.

Warren is a very good RB, but the O-line isn’t helping

Through the early part of the 2026 season, Warren has averaged over four yards per carry despite the limited running lanes. Usually thrown into a rushing game by committee, he’s proven to be serviceable enough to get his yards.

The Steelers offensive line ranks second lowest in the league for run-block win rate at 68.4%, according to ESPN Analytics and NFL Next Gen Stats. It’s actually amazing to see Warren going for over four yards a carry.

Key takeaways

• Running back Rico Dowdle has been ruled out of Week 3 due to a toe injury.
• Pittsburgh ranks 29th in rushing yards after producing only 58 and 91 yards in two games.
• The Steelers offensive line ranks second-lowest in the league with a 68.4% run-block win rate.

After the game, Burrow expressed optimism reminiscent of a championship run, saying, “It feels like early on in 2021,” while praising the Bengals’ defense for completely shutting down the Texans, as noted by Cole McIntire on X.

In 2021, the Bengals reached the Super Bowl for the first time since 1988, ultimately losing 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams. That game was decided when Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a go-ahead touchdown with 85 seconds remaining, followed by a decisive late sack of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow by Aaron Donald.

How the defense supported Burrow

The defense’s elite effort allowed Cincinnati to control the game from start to finish, validating Burrow‘s confidence despite medical concerns that lingered throughout the week.

Pre-game, any doubts about his condition were put to rest when Burrow reached out directly to national media and clarified his status in a text exchange with NFL insider Jay Glazer, stating that he was “Totally good” and dismissing the injury rumors as exaggerated.

With his back injury clearly behind him, Burrow’s commanding presence, alongside the defense’s exceptional performance, has generated excitement among Bengals fans. As Cincinnati builds on this significant win, memories of the 2021 season suggest that the roster is focused and ready for a special run.

Burrow’s performance

The defense has led both victories, which is far from the norm over the last five years. The Bengals have the chance to start 3-0 for the first time since the 2015 NFL season.

Burrow has not been dominant, but he has not been bad either, candidly admitting after Sunday’s game that he played “incredibly average” and has plenty of room to grow after two weeks. He threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans on Sunday, with both scoring passes going to Ja’Marr Chase.

The Bengals will travel for their first division game of the season next Sunday to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are currently 1-1 after falling 20-3 to the New England Patriots on Sunday.

As reported by plenty of outlets, including Adam Schefter of ESPN, Nico Collins is missing today’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a hamstring injury he suffered in practice last week.

The injury happened on Wednesday and couldn’t practice on Thursday and Friday. Hence, the Texans officially ruled him out. The silver lining is that team doctors don’t believe the issue is serious or long-term.

Texans WR depth chart vs Bengals without Collins

The Texans WR room is already very thin. They lost WR2 Jayden Higgins to an ACL tear before the beginning of the season, Tank Dell is on IR, and now Collins is out. Hence, who will CJ Stroud throw to now?

• Kayshon Boutte
• Xavier Hutchinson
• Jaylin Noel
• Jalyn Bond

Who will be the primary weapons for CJ Stroud vs Bengals?

Kayshon Boutte immediately steps up as the team’s WR1 against the Bengals. Then, it’s tight end Dalton Schultz the one who could get plenty of targets as he is already an escape valve for Stroud. Now, he will also be primarily his best target.

Stroud needs to be sharp and witty, as the Bengals have a revamped defensive line that will be able to stop the run and put pressure on him. Hence, he needs to make his progressions fast and be accurate.

Zac Taylor’s team had elevated Josh Johnson from the practice squad as a precautionary measure. However, Burrow will ultimately be the one leading the offense for the Bengals.

Johnson is therefore listed third on the Bengals’ depth chart, in case he is needed due to any unforeseen circumstances. The team’s primary backup remains veteran Joe Flacco, who played an important role for Cincinnati last season.

What happened to Burrow?

After pulling through a tight week of practice, Joe Burrow was listed as questionable for Sunday’s clash against the Texans as the QB manage a lingering back issue that began troubling him shortly after Week 1. While Burrow managed to take reps every day, the coaching staff opted to cap his workload to prevent any aggravation ahead of kickoff.

Joe Burrow’s numbers in the season opener

Burrow kicked off the season against Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a super solid, balanced performance to secure the 33-27 win for Cincy. He went 25-of-35 passing (a clean 71.4% completion rate) for 254 yards, slinging one touchdown pass and giving up one interception.

On top of that, he chipped in with five carries on the ground to keep the Bucs’ pass rush honest and keep the chains moving when things broke down. It wasn’t an absolute stat-sheet explosion, but it was smooth, efficient, and got the job done to start the year 1-0.

The news is particularly concerning because Collins remains one of the most important players in Houston’s offense. He opened the 2026 season with seven receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills, immediately showing why he is such a critical part of Stroud’s passing attack.

Now, the Texans will have to find a way to replace their top receiving weapon against Cincinnati. Collins’ injury is not currently believed to be severe enough to require injured reserve, but the team will have to be cautious with a player who has dealt with hamstring problems before.

Nico Collins ruled out vs. Bengals

Houston officially ruled Collins out Friday after he missed Thursday’s practice following the hamstring injury. The Texans will therefore enter Sunday’s game without their primary offensive weapon, forcing Stroud and the coaching staff to adjust their approach against Cincinnati.

The timing is especially difficult because Collins had just delivered another strong performance in Week 1. He was targeted 10 times against Buffalo and caught seven passes, including a touchdown, giving Stroud a reliable option capable of making plays at all levels of the field.

Collins has also dealt with injuries throughout his career, including a hamstring injury in 2024 that forced him to miss five games. His history makes the Texans’ decision to keep him out understandable, particularly this early in the season when rushing him back could create a bigger problem.

How will C.J. Stroud replace Nico Collins?

Without Collins, Houston is expected to rely on a group effort rather than simply replacing his production with one player. Xavier Hutchinson, Kayshon Boutte and Jaylin Noel could all see expanded opportunities, while the Texans could also use more formations featuring multiple tight ends.

That puts additional pressure on Stroud, although Houston’s offensive coordinator Nick Caley has expressed confidence in the team’s depth and in the quarterback’s ability to distribute the football. The Texans targeted 11 different players in their Week 1 loss to Buffalo, showing that the offense has other options beyond Collins.

Still, there is no easy way to replace a player of Collins’ caliber. The Texans are already without Jayden Higgins after his season-ending ACL injury, making Collins’ absence another significant setback for a receiving corps that has been hit hard by injuries. For Stroud, Sunday’s game against the Bengals will now be another test of how effectively Houston can move the ball without its biggest offensive weapon.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow gave an honest answer when asked how he felt about his performance in Week 1. “Yeah, If I didn’t have that interception, I’m feeling great walking out of here. You can’t make plays like that, so I got to get that fixed,” Burrow told reporters in the locker room, per Mike Petraglia. “Offensive line was pretty lights out. I thought we ran the ball, ran the ball well in spots, and you know, I got the ball to my guys in space pretty quickly.”

Burrow’s one mistake of the game was a significant one. Buccaneers rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter picked off Burrow for a pick-six during the third quarter, a mistake that helped bring Tampa Bay closer to Cincinnati on the scoreboard and made the rest of the contest that much more competitive.

Burrow encouraged after securing Week 1 victory

During his locker room comments, Burrow balanced his self-criticism with optimism and appreciation for the win, understanding how crucial it is to open the season with a victory in Week 1.

“It’s great for the vibes,” Burrow said. “There’s a lot of attention around Week 1, just because there’s so much anticipation around it. So going out and getting a win feels great, but we just got to keep it rolling.”

The standard is through the roof for Burrow, who knows one week does not make a season. Cincinnati has another huge game next weekend that could spark a long winning streak leading into an October matchup against Baltimore, who also started 1-0 on Sunday.

“Yeah, it was great to see the work come in and execute in those situations. But it’s one week. We got to keep getting better. Come and learn tomorrow. Get back in the lab,” Burrow noted before praising the crowd for helping induce penalties on Tampa Bay to offset Cincinnati’s offensive mistakes. “Yeah, that’s what you see in Week 1. A lot of procedural penalties. We had some as well on defense. So that came at pretty good times.”

Burrow’s Week 1 stat line

Burrow finished the game 25-of-35 for 254 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception, while adding five carries for 20 rushing yards on the ground to cap off an encouraging NFL season opener.

Getting the win in Week 1 is the most important outcome from Sunday’s game, but Cincinnati showed promise while keeping their sights set on improvement. Next up, the Bengals head on the road to face the Texans, who are coming off a loss to the Bills, in Week 2.

Russell Wilson is now an analyst for CBS Sports, and he was clear. “If it doesn’t go well in Cincinnati this year, Joe Burrow is gone,” Wilson said. Now, it’s not a common thing to see that a franchise quarterback leaves, but this might be one of the rare cases.

Burrow is a top three quarterback in the NFL, yet the Bengals constantly miss the playoffs due to organizational incompetence. Hence, he could have enough if another year of bad results comes for Cincy.

The Bengals did moves to appease Burrow

The Bengals have three big debts with Burrow. One of them was to improve the defense. They did. Three new starters are going into the defensive line, including big-time player Dexter Lawrence.

Another one was giving him protection, while this one remains to be seen, the Bengals have tried bringing in new players in recent years. The third debt is coaching, and Zac Taylor is on the hot seat.

Burrow has done his part

Not only has Burrow already guided this team with a bad defense, a bad coach, and a bad defense all the way to the Super Bowl, but he always balls out when healthy.

Burrow might be the only quarterback to have a case to win the league MVP on a team that didn’t even make the playoffs. When Burrow is on the field, the Bengals always have a chance to win games, despite everything else. However, that’s not a way to win Super Bowls, which is what Burrow wants.

Hence, Jalen Hurts won’t be suiting up. The Philadelphia Eagles have been very cautious during preseason and that is expected to be the case once again. Hence, Tanner McKee will be under center vs. Bengals.

Per NBC10 Philadelphia, the game will focus entirely on reserves, rookies, and bubble players fighting for final roster spots ahead of roster cuts. After all, teams have to officialize their final 53-man roster on Sunday.

Will Joe Burrow play vs. Eagles?

Joe Burrow and the other Cincinnati Bengals starters won’t play against Philadelphia, per head coach Zac Taylor. Hence, backups Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson, and Sean Clifford could be playing vs. Eagles.

More specifically, it’s expected that Johnson and Clifford take the majority of the workload, as Flacco is seen as a premium backup in the NFL for the last few years. Hence, there’s no need to risk him either.

Both teams have coaches with lots of eyeballs on them

The Eagles have gone to two Super Bowls in the last four years and yet somehow head coach Nick Sirianni is always getting doubted. A heavy reliance on coordinators might bring doubts over Sirianni, but he’s been proven capable to get to the top.

As for Zac Taylor, many were shocked when the Bengals didn’t fire him at the end of last season. However, after three straight years without a playoff appearance, the pressure is big. After all, Taylor is wasting Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and many other star players in their primes.

After practice, the wide receiver spoke with Tony Pike of ESPN 1530 Cincinnati and said he felt fine physically, describing it as a little “hyperextension.” He also stated that he could have continued participating.

Chase attempted to catch a pass from Joe Burrow and nearly ended up injured. Fortunately for the Bengals, who will need their top stars to have a successful season, nothing serious happened, and they should be able to count on him in the immediate future.

Alongside Tee Higgins, Chase will look to form one of the most formidable wide receiver duos in the AFC, and they certainly have the talent to do so. The Bengals want to improve on what they accomplished in 2025, and keeping both stars healthy could be key to making that happen.

Chase’s impact on the Bengals’ offense

Cincinnati’s team results in the 2025 season fell short of expectations. However, Ja’Marr Chase’s numbers in the final statistics were quite promising heading into what’s next.

The wide receiver’s numbers speak for themselves: 125 receptions, 1,412 receiving yards, and a total of eight touchdowns. Now, with Burrow at full strength, Zac Taylor’s team has everything it needs to dream of winning the AFC North.

The Bengals’ 2026 receiving corps

Burrow not only has Chase and Higgins as his primary targets through the air, but he also has several other options at his disposal. Here is the Bengals’ receiving corps heading into the upcoming season.