The Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots will kick off the start of the regular season Sunday with a Week 1 matchup at Paycor Stadium.
It has been a wild week for the Bengals, who may or may not have Ja'Marr Chase on the field as the two sides continue contract negotiations. Chase told reporters Friday he'd be willing to play without a new deal but that if he played Sunday, he would probably be limited.
Meanwhile, the Bengals ruled out two players on the final injury report and one key starter was listed as doubtful for the season opener.
We'll make any updates to this if either team makes changes to their injury reports Saturday, but these are the players with injury designations for the Week 1 matchup.
Bengals vs. Patriots Week 1: Full injury designations
Cincinnati Bengals
Out
- OT Amarius Mims (pectoral)
- DT Kris Jenkins (thumb)
Both Mims and Jenkins were limited participants on Wednesday and Thursday but were downgraded to non-participants for Friday's practice. Mims, the team's first-round pick, missed a chunk of the preseason due to a pectoral injury while Jenkins, a second-round pick, needs surgery on his thumb.
Doubtful
- WR Tee Higgins (hamstring)
It all seemed fine going into Friday morning. Higgins was limited the day prior but he expressed no concerns about missing the opener. Now, it's very likely Higgins won't play after Zac Taylor told reporters the star wideout tweaked his hamstring. It wouldn't be a surprise if Higgins was downgraded to out on Saturday.
Questionable
- WR Ja'Marr Chase (rest/illness)
Though he's listed on the injury report with "rest," the real reason Chase is questionable is due to the contract dispute he's in as he searches for a new deal. Chase told reporters he's willing to play but may be limited if he doesn't have a new deal. The Bengals added an illness to Chase's injury designation on Saturday, but he's still listed as questionable. Maybe he's sick of waiting for a contract?
New England Patriots
Out
- G Sidy Sow (ankle)
A starter for the Patriots at right guard, Sow didn't practice all week due to an ankle injury. He allowed five sacks and 27 total pressures in 13 starts during the 2023 season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Questionable
- RB Antonio Gibson (hip)
- LB Joshua Uche (foot)
- OT Vederian Lowe (abdomen)
- S Jabrill Peppers (hip)
Gibson popped up on the injury report Thursday and was a limited participant to end the final two practices of the week. He's the backup to Rhamondre Stevenson. Uche and Lowe were limited at practice all week. Peppers was added to the injury report Saturday afternoon.
MORE BENGALS
Tee Higgins injury update
Ja'Marr Chase had iconic quote about beating Justin Jefferson's contract
Bengals vs. Patriots picks, predictions Week 1
