Bengals’ Zac Taylor announces injury update for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins

The Cincinnati Bengals are preparing for their NFL season opener with Joe Burrow leading an offense that still revolves around Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins . Cincinnati will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Paycor Stadium, beginning a season that comes with high expectations after another busy offseason. Burrow enters the season with his two primary receivers healthy enough to practice after both dealt with injuries late in the preseason. Chase hyperextended his knee during a joint practice, while Higgins has been dealing with a heel contusion. Both missed practice last week before returning Monday. Burrow and the Bengals need both receivers available as Chase and Higgins are two established targets who can win against man coverage.

Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on pace to play Sunday

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5). Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.

Head Coach Zac Taylor said Chase and Higgins are on pace to play against Tampa Bay . The Bengals coach had previously said both receivers would be limited during the week but expected them to be ready for the opener. Chase returned Monday after dealing with the knee issue, while Higgins also got back on the field. Their progress through the rest of the week will determine whether they enter Sunday without a game-status designation or carry one into the opener.

Joe Burrow gets his top weapons back for Week 1

The Bengals spent the offseason improving the roster around Burrow. Cincinnati added Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen to the defensive line while also continuing to build around its established offensive core. Burrow has also made clear that he remains committed to Cincinnati and believes the offseason changes have put the team in a better position entering 2026. Having Chase and Higgins available gives Burrow the best version of his passing attack to start the season. Cincinnati's offense has little room for error after a 6-11 season in 2025, and the team has made significant changes around its quarterback. For a Bengals team trying to return to the playoffs, that is exactly how the offense needs to begin.