The Bengals enter Week 1 with huge question marks at receiver.
With Joe Burrow healthy and looking to lead Cincinnati back to the playoffs, it’s unclear who his top targets in the passing game will be to start the new season.
The statuses of the Bengals’ top two receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, are both currently up in the air, but for different reasons.
Here’s an updated look at Cincinnati’s WR depth chart to see who could step in if Chase or Higgins are potentially out, along with the latest updates on the duo.
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Bengals WR Depth Chart
1. The pursuit of Ja’Marr
Chase remains one of the game’s top wideouts after posting his third straight 1,000-plus yard season to start his career in 2023.
However, there are serious concerns about the availability of Burrow’s No. 1 target in Week 1. Chase, awaiting a new contract from Cincinnati, has not been a consistent presence throughout camp and has been limited to the practices he has attended.
If he’s not on the field Sunday, the Bengals will be without their best player, and they’ll have to look further down the depth chart for production.
The most recent updates on Chase are below.
2. T-Higgins
Higgins, 25, is arguably Cincinnati’s WR2 behind Chase, assuming both players are available. But, much like Chase, that availability is in question.
Higgins reportedly recently suffered a hamstring injury that could keep him out early in the season. That presents another challenge for Burrow and the offense, as the fifth-year WR has 75-plus targets in every season of his career so far.
The latest on Higgins’ status in Week 1 is below.
3. Andrei Iosivas
Second-year WR Andrei Iosivas appears to be Cincinnati’s third option on the receiving depth chart at the moment, as he has generated some buzz in camp.
Iosivas had 15 receptions for 116 yards and four touchdowns in 2023 after being drafted in the sixth round in 2023. The Princeton product appeared poised to start in the slot for the Bengals this season.
About Andrei Iosivas:
“From the moment the Bengals tried him in the slot on the first day of training camp, he delivered in a way that solidified him as the WR3 behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.…his 4.43 speed creates a unique profile as the Bengals’ inside-outside weapon… https://t.co/10qZcbh3t6
— 32BeatWriters (@32BeatWriters) September 4, 2024
All of a sudden, he could be Burrow’s top target if Chase and Higgins can’t compete in Week 1.
4. Jermaine Burton
A third-round pick out of Alabama, Jermaine Burton was supposed to be a depth piece for Burrow, but like Iosivas and the others on this list, he could be slotted into the starting mix fairly quickly.
With no NFL experience and questions about his work ethic in the past, Burton may still have a ways to go in his development.
However, head coach Zac Taylor may have no choice but to start Burton against the Patriots on Sunday.
5. Trenton Irwin
Unlike Burton, Irwin offers a more veteran presence in Cincinnati’s WR room.
He’s entering his fifth NFL season, all with the Bengals, which likely helped him build some chemistry with Burrow. Irwin, however, has only thrown for 586 yards in his career so far.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see Irwin on the field more often than Burton this season due to his experience, but for now he remains lower on the depth chart.
6. Charlie Jones
As a rookie in 2023, Charlie Jones played in 11 games but had just seven receptions for 64 yards.
Whether or not Cincinnati gets performances from Chase and/or Higgins in Week 1, Jones likely won’t start. However, he could still see his snap count increase without those two stars.
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Tee Higgins injury update
On Friday, Higgins was listed as doubtful by the Bengals for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
The Bengals list Tee Higgins as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Patriots with a hamstring injury, and Ja’Marr Chase as doubtful.
–Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2024
However, Higgins recently said this was “the best he’s been in” ahead of the first week of his career, sparking confusion over why he is limited in training.
Tee Higgins, who was listed on the Bengals’ injury report as limited with a hamstring injury, spoke to the media after practice.
“I feel incredibly good”
Welcome everyone to the fantasy season
pic.twitter.com/OBcgqHhZWN— Dylan Mehl (@DylanMehl) September 5, 2024
With his status uncertain, it seems likely that one or all of Iosivas, Burton and Irwin will have larger roles on Sunday.
Will Ja’Marr Chase play in Week 1?
Meanwhile, Chase still hasn’t received the contract he wanted from the Bengals.
The team listed him as doubtful for Sunday’s game. Chase recently spoke to the media, saying he believed Friday was a deadline to get a deal done, but also believed the sides would reach an agreement. by Adam Schefter.
Chase also called himself a “last-minute decision” for Sunday, though the team called his status questionable.
New @WLWT:Ja’Marr Chase says he would consider playing Sunday even without a contract extension agreement.
He considers it a “game-time decision” and if he plays, he will likely be “limited.”
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) September 6, 2024
There’s still no clear sign whether Chase will play Sunday or not, but the Bengals could certainly use him if Higgins is sidelined with an injury.
