JOLLY JA’MARR: The next luckiest man in the room is Higgins’ receiver-running mate Ja’Marr Chase. In his 14 100-yard games, Higgins has played in 12 of them.
“(Less) double coverage,” Chase said of Higgins’ return.
Chase figures he’s faced more double coverage in the first two games of this season than he will in the final four games of 2023. He’s betting the attention Higgins is getting will free him up for his second explosive play of the season and more. He has one catch of 25 yards or more (a 28-yarder in the opening play) and no touchdowns.
He would love to repeat his performance a year ago in the Monday Night Ring of Honor Game. He caught 12 balls for 141 yards to secure a 19-16 win over the Rams, and his 43-yard pass was the deciding factor. The man who started this season with nine touchdown catches of at least 50 yards, leading everyone else since 2021, is eager for another big win.
“I think we need that early in the game to get the blood pumping early,” Chase said of the long shots.
He’s not picky. A YAC or a bomb.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Chase said. “As long as (the play) goes to 25 yards. It doesn’t matter if you go deeper or make a hook and get 25 yards. So it doesn’t really matter as long as it’s explosive.”
Chase said it helps that he and Higgins are just completing their first week of practice together, something that only happened a few times during the preseason.
“We have to take advantage of the moments we have now (to train as a whole group),” Chase said.
“I’m just ready for the big play, that one big play that’s going to give me all my confidence, the team’s confidence, the coaches’ confidence, and everybody’s going to feel good … It’s just good to know (Higgins) is back, to have him with that much energy and just to have the guys back out there. That’s all. It feels good again.”
Chase is feeling so good that he says he has a touchdown celebration planned that isn’t “The Griddy,” although he does expect tight end Mike Gesicki to go crazy when he scores.
He seems relieved to be talking about Monday and not last Sunday, when he received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter, but he has made it clear he will appeal any potential fine.
“I can’t stay here and think about Sunday anymore,” Chase said. “After Sunday is Monday. So I have to start the new week.”
INJURY UPDATE: In four seasons with the Bengals, safety Vonn Bell has never missed a game. After missing practice on Friday due to back problems, his status was questionable. He was actually limited on Thursday.
Sophomore Jordan Battle is listed as Bell’s backup and actually started in the second half of last season. Rookie safety Daijah Anthony has played in the dime package. In a pinch, there’s also Dax Hill, who played more than 1,000 snaps as a safety last year, but they love what he does as a starting cornerback.
It looks like the Bengals will play the same way they played on Sunday on Monday night. The defensive line is weakened. Starting defensive tackles BJ Hill and Sheldon Rankins have not practiced this week due to hamstring injuries.
After playing a combined 77 snaps last Sunday, Zach Carter and Jay Tufele will likely play a lot again. This time, they should get some relief from Lawrence Guy, a 14-year veteran who signed on Tuesday. He probably can’t give them much since he didn’t have training camp, but it will certainly be a boost. Left end Sam Hubbard, who was used as a tackle for parts of Sunday’s game, and promotions to the practice squad could also be up for debate.
It is unclear whether rookie D-tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. will be eligible to make his NFL debut on Monday. He is limited with his club after undergoing thumb surgery a few weeks ago.
Gesicki (calf) was limited again on Friday, as was rookie right tackle Amarius Mims (pec). Tight end Tanner Huson (knee) has not practiced since missing last Sunday’s game.
