The end of the season also could be the end of an era for the Cincinnati Bengals, as they are unlikely to play another game with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd as teammates.
Higgins, who injured his hamstring last week at Kansas City, officially is inactive today against the Cleveland Browns.
Who Are the Inactives for Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns?
Boyd and the rest of the offensive starters are expected to play, but the Bengals will be down a starter on defense as well with cornerback Chidobe Awuzie inactive due to shoulder and calf injuries.
All expectations are that this will be Boyd’s final game with the Bengals, as both he and Higgins will be free agents at the end of the season.
Look for Trenton Irwin and rookie Andrei Iosivas to pick up the bulk of Higgins’ snaps, while the Bengals are likely to go back to rookie DJ Turner as a starter cornerback with Awuzie out.
Former starter Irv Smith Jr. is a healthy scratch for the second time in three games, and last week when he dressed against the Chiefs, he still didn’t play a snap.
MORE: Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart
The Browns will be resting the bulk of their starters as they are locked into the No. 5 playoff seed.
Cleveland Browns
- WR Amari Cooper (hip)
- DE Myles Garrett (shoulder/hamstring)
- CB Mike Fold (calf)
- K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring)
- CB Greg Newsome (knee)
- CB Juan Thornhill (calf)
- WR Marquise Goodwin (knee)
Cincinnati Bengals
- WR Tee Higgins (hamstring)
- CB Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder/calf)
- RB Chris Evans
- OL Trey Hill
- OL D’Ante Smith
- TE Irv Smith Jr.
- DT Travis Bell
Bengals/Browns Injury Report
Cleveland Browns
Out
- WR Amari Cooper (hip)
- DE Myles Garrett (shoulder/hamstring)
- CB Mike Fold (calf)
- K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring)
- CB Greg Newsome (knee)
- CB Juan Thornhill (calf)
Questionable
- P Corey Bojorquez (quadricep)
- WR Marquise Goodwin (knee)
- LB Jordan Kunaszk (calf)
- WR Elijah Moore (concussion)
Cincinnati Bengals
Doubtful
- WR Tee Higgins (hamstring)
Questionable
- CB Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder)
- CB Jalen Davis (groin)
What Are the Starting Lineups for Each Team?
Cleveland Browns
- Quarterback: Jeff Driskel
- Wide receiver: Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, David Bell
- Running back: Jerome Ford
- Tight end: David Njoku
- Offensive line (left to right): Geron Christian, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, James Hudson
- Defensive line: Ogbo Okoronkwo, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jordan Elliott, Za’Darius Smith
- Linebacker: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Tony Fields, Sione Takitaki
- Defensive backs: Denzel Ward, Cameron Mitchell, D’Anthony Bell, Ronnie Hickman
Cincinnati Bengals
- Quarterback: Jake Browning
- Wide receiver: Ja’Marr Chase, Trenton Irwin, Tyler Boyd
- Running rack: Joe Mixon
- Tight end: Drew Sample
- Offensive line (left to right): Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Jonah Williams
- Defensive line: Trey Hendrickson, Zach Carter, B.J. Hill, Sam Hubbard
- Linebacker: Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt
- Defensive backs: Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton, Jordan Battle, Dax Hill
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