Overview
- Thursday reporters saw Ja’Marr Chase in full pads at Bengals practice, a visible step in his recovery; head coach Zac Taylor says Chase remains in the NFL concussion protocol and is being monitored day to day.
- Tee Higgins worked on the rehab field and was not in uniform on Thursday, and Taylor has described him as day to day while he recovers from an adductor issue sustained in the Week 4 game.
- Chase’s practice appearance is a positive sign but does not mean he has completed the staged concussion protocol or received clearance to play on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
- If either receiver is unavailable, backups Dohnte Meyers and Mitchell Tinsley are expected to see expanded roles and rookie Colbie Young could return to the rotation.
- The updates matter because the Bengals are 2-2, have lost two straight, and face Miami in their final game before a Week 6 bye which makes short-term availability important for team momentum.