The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into Week 2 with concerns on offense following a tough opening loss.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase struggled to ignite momentum against the New England Patriots and ended up suffering the most shocking defeat of Week 1.
Staring down the barrel of another slow start to a season, the Bengals are preparing for Sunday’s showdown against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
We all know that Chase is extremely unhappy with his contract situation. However, there are concerns about another star receiver in Cincinnati…
Rumors have circulated suggesting that Tee Higgins, one of Burrow’s key weapons alongside Chase, is faking his hamstring injury.
Some fans have speculated that the wide receiver may be holding himself out rather than risk actual injury on the field since he’s also unhappy with his contract situation.
However, Higgins claims the rumors couldn’t possibly be further from the truth.
“I just don’t understand why fans think I’m faking an injury, when for me to get an extension for a contract, the deadline is over. I just don’t understand why they think I’m faking an injury,” Higgins said. “It doesn’t make sense to me. I prepare myself to go out here and dominate.
Higgins’ absence from the Bengals’ Week 1 loss to the Patriots fueled suspicion that his hamstring injury might not be real, with some connecting it to his looming contract situation.
The star wide receiver further addressed those rumors directly, emphasizing that his injury is genuine and explaining how it occurred.
“Unfortunately, four days before the game, I had a hamstring tweak that I didn’t think was that bad,” Higgins explained. “I made some comments after practice because I didn’t think it was a big deal at first. But the next day, when I got it checked, it turned out to be worse than I thought.”
Higgins has been listed as day-to-day by Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, leaving his availability for the crucial Week 2 showdown against the Chiefs uncertain.
Without Higgins, the Bengals’ offense will need Burrow and Chase to find their rhythm quickly to avoid falling to an 0-2 start.
What are your thoughts on the situation? … Do you think Higgins is faking – or exaggerating – his injury?
More importantly, what is your prediction for the game on Sunday? … Will the Bengals fall to 0-2???