Cincinnati Bengals Injury and Practice Report: Another Starter Returns to Work

Seven days after suffering a back injury that caused him to miss the last two practices and Sunday’s game in Arizona, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie returned to practice today.

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What Are the Chances Chidobe Awuzie Plays Sunday?

Awuzie was still working his way back to full participation from the ACL tear he suffered last Halloween when a back injury flared up in practice last Thursday. Rookie second-round pick DJ Turner II had been rotating with Awuzie through the first four games, with Awuzie’s snap percentages gradually increasing.

Chido is back today pic.twitter.com/QhuugqXplb

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) October 12, 2023

Turner played well in his first NFL start Sunday at Arizona, and with the bye sitting on the other side of this week’s game against the Seahawks, the Bengals could continue to manage Awuzie’s workload if he’s able to play at all.

Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither has not practiced since injuring his knee on Sept. 28, but he did play in the Oct. 1 loss at Tennessee.

Also not present during the portion of practice open to the media was rookie first-round defensive end Myles Murphy. We’ll know the reason for his absence when the Bengals release the injury report later this afternoon.

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– Did the #Bengals go from a possible season-ender to contender in one game?

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— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) October 11, 2023

That’s also when we’ll find out if wide receiver Tee Higgins was able to go full for the first time since fracturing a rib at Tennessee. Higgins missed the first two practices last week and was inactive for Sunday’s game at Arizona. He was also limited Wednesday, with head coach Zac Taylor calling him “day to day.”

UPDATE (4:40 p.m.): Higgins said he did everything everyone else did today, but the Bengals have him listed as a limited participant. Higgins also said if he’s able to go Sunday, it would be without a flak jacket.

Awuzie also was listed as questionable, along with linebacker Devin Harper (hamstring), who missed Wednesday’s practice.

Murphy’s absence was non-injury related.

Tee Higgins said he was doing the same everything everyone else was doing at practice today, but the #Benals have him listed as limited for a 3 straight practice.
Chido limited as well.
No injury designation for Myles Murphy pic.twitter.com/FJanRb5NSm

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) October 12, 2023