Bengals’ Higgins, dealing with hammy injury, might be out vs. Chiefs

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals could be without one of their top receivers when facing the back-to-back Super Bowl champions.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins is expected to be doubtful for Sunday’s game at Kansas City, coach Zac Taylor said Friday. Higgins was not spotted during the portion of practice open to the media and did not practice Wednesday and Thursday. He is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained Sept. 5 that ended up being more severe than anticipated.

Taylor said he did not want to make a final determination on Higgins ahead of the Week 2 matchup against Cincinnati’s AFC rival.

“We’ll see,” Taylor said. “I’m not going to rule him out yet for Sunday. We’ll see where he’s at.”

Cincinnati (0-1) could be without other key players as well as it tries to win its first Week 2 game in Taylor’s tenure and avoid going 0-2 for the fifth time in his six years.

Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, a rookie dealing with a thumb injury, is also expected to be listed as doubtful along with offensive tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral) and tight end Tanner Hudson (knee). They would not have been projected to start this weekend.

Higgins indicated to ESPN on Thursday that he wants to be on the field at full strength as quickly as possible. On Friday, Taylor said that Higgins was continuing to make good progress while recovering.

Cincinnati’s top wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, had a strong week of practice, Taylor said. He was not on the injury report this week after being listed with rest and an illness following a hold-in throughout training camp over a contract dispute.

“This week’s been a great week for him,” Taylor said. “I think he’s done an excellent job. I appreciate the energy.”

And any lingering tension between Chase and the coaching staff following the topsy-turvy contract situation seems to be gone.

“I think we’re in a great spot,” Taylor said. “Great spot.”