Bengals Offense Hits Panic Button as Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins Nurse Injuries

The Cincinnati Bengals are officially running out of guys who can catch a football. Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed Monday that Ja’Marr Chase remains in the concussion protocol, while Tee Higgins is now day-to-day with an adductor injury.

If you are a fantasy manager relying on the Cincinnati passing game, it might be time to start looking at waiver wire options who do not currently have a locker in the Bengals facility. Joe Burrow is staring down the barrel of a practice-squad receiving corps.

"Bengals HC Zac Taylor said WR Ja’Marr Chase remains in concussion protocol, and Tee Higgins is now considered day-to day due to his adductor injury."

This injury update comes at the exact wrong time for a team trying to find its footing. The Bengals are fresh off a frustrating 22-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, a game where the offense clearly lacked its usual explosive edge.

Chase being stuck in the protocol means his availability for next week is entirely out of the team's hands. He has to clear independent neurological testing before he can even think about lacing up his cleats.

Meanwhile, Higgins dealing with a soft-tissue adductor issue is the kind of lingering problem that turns a day-to-day designation into a multi-week headache if rushed. Soft-tissue injuries for wide receivers are notoriously stubborn.

Oddsmakers are going to treat the Cincinnati point spread like radioactive material until there is clarity on either receiver. You simply cannot price a modern NFL offense the same way when its two primary weapons are watching practice in sweatpants.

The Bengals desperately need at least one of their star wideouts to get cleared before their next kickoff. Until then, the coaching staff might want to start introducing themselves to the guys at the bottom of the depth chart.