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Ben Child, ESPN Workers Author
CINCINNATI — The Bengals might be with out three key offensive starters for a recreation that shall be essential for his or her playoff hopes.
Large receiver Tee Higgins and left deal with Orlando Brown Jr. have been each be listed as uncertain for Sunday’s recreation towards the Las Vegas Raiders, whereas operating again Zack Moss didn’t observe Friday with a neck damage, in keeping with the sport standing report, and can be listed as uncertain.
Moss, who signed with the Bengals within the offseason, has cut up the majority of the backfield snaps with Chase Brown, totaling 242 yards and two touchdowns.
Neither Higgins nor Brown practiced all week. Higgins has been out since he injured his quadriceps final Friday and missed the Bengals’ Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Brown aggravated a proper knee damage that knocked him out of Week 7’s win over the Cleveland Browns.
If Brown cannot begin, will probably be solely the second recreation in his seven-year profession that he’ll miss. As a member of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, the four-time Professional Bowler didn’t face the Bengals in Week 17 of the 2021 season.
Ought to Higgins not have the ability to go, rookie Jermaine Burton may proceed to see his workload enhance. The third-round select of Alabama had a season-high 24 snaps towards the Eagles.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor stated Burton has made progress in current weeks and is amongst those that may fill the void if Higgins cannot play.
“I feel Jermaine has made progress to the place we get increasingly more assured with him each week within the scheme and he is getting extra consolation with the quarterback,” Taylor informed reporters.
On Thursday, Burton stated he was desirous to make the most of any enhance in snaps after his utilization was minimal by way of the primary seven video games of the season.
“I really feel like I’ve simply been the identical,” Burton stated. “I’ve simply been ready [for] my flip, my alternative. I simply informed myself no matter alternative I get, I do not care when it’s, simply make the perfect of it.”
If Higgins is out towards the Raiders (2-6), will probably be the fourth recreation he has missed this season. He didn’t play within the first two video games of the yr with a hamstring damage.
Higgins is taking part in on the one-year franchise tag and is about to grow to be a free agent after the season. Earlier within the week, Taylor indicated the crew was probably going to face pat forward of Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
“The crew that we have is the crew that we’ll proceed to teach and imagine in these guys,” Taylor stated.
