The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a double blow to their receiving corps in Sunday’s 22-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins exited early with injuries, dropping Cincinnati to 2-2 after a second straight defeat and leaving Joe Burrow without his primary passing targets late in the game.

Ja'Marr Chase Evaluated for Concussion

In the second quarter, Ja'Marr Chase caught a pass along the boundary, had his facemask grabbed, and absorbed a heavy hit before staying down on the field. He was taken to the blue medical tent to be evaluated for a concussion and was officially listed as Questionable to return before being ruled out.

Under NFL concussion protocol, any player exhibiting signs of a potential head injury must undergo examination by both team medical personnel and an Independent Neurotrauma Consultant (INC). Being evaluated in the tent is part of the clearance process and not an automatic diagnosis, but Chase ultimately could not return.

Notable Injury Context

This evaluation marks the first time Chase has entered concussion testing in his professional career. Historically, Chase’s medical history has involved orthopedic issues rather than head injuries:

Chase has proven durable overall, appearing in 78 games over his first five NFL seasons. His participation level in practice throughout the upcoming week will determine whether he can clear protocol prior to Week 5 against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Tee Higgins Sustains Adductor Injury Late in Fourth Quarter

With Chase out, Tee Higgins stepped up to carry the workload for Cincinnati's offense. Higgins saw 16 targets and recorded 11 receptions for 157 yards - his highest yardage total of the season and the second-highest single-game mark of his career.

However, after a 19-yard completion near the sideline late in the fourth quarter, Higgins left the field with an adductor injury. He briefly re-entered the game for one snap, securing another reception, before being evaluated in the medical tent and ruled out for Cincinnati's final drive. Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed the adductor strain postgame, providing no official timeline for his return.

Without Chase or Higgins on the final drive, Burrow—who finished with 428 passing yards—was forced to rely on depth targets Dohnte Meyers, Mitch Tinsley, Andrei Iosivas, and Charlie Jones, as the offense failed to put together a game-winning drive.

Soft-Tissue History & Recovery Dynamics

Adductor muscles are crucial for wide receivers, as they stabilize the pelvis and facilitate rapid direction changes, cutting, and deceleration. Recovery timelines vary based on severity:

  • Grade 1 (Mild Strain): Typically requires several days to a week of rehabilitation.

  • Grade 2+ (Moderate to Severe): Can sideline a player for multiple weeks depending on tissue healing and functional movement testing.

While Higgins has no prior documented groin or adductor injuries, soft-tissue strains have recurred throughout his career:

  • December 2020 & January 2021: Grade 2 hamstring strains.

  • December 2023: Grade 1 hamstring strain.

  • September 2024: Hamstring injury resulting in two missed games.

  • October 2024: Quad strain resulting in three missed games.

More updates to come this week.