Cincinnati Bengals Injury and Practice Report: Only One Absence Keeps Team From Full Strength

The Cincinnati Bengals listed 12 players on Thursday’s injury report, and all 12 were present and accounted for Friday during the portion of practice open to the media.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins returned from a three-week absence Thursday and was listed as a full participant in his next step toward playing Monday night at Jacksonville.

Higgins spoke with the media after Thursday’s practice, which is another good sign he is trending toward playing and giving quarterback Jake Browning the full complement of weapons against a Jacksonville defense that ranks 20th in total defense and 12th in scoring defense.

How Serious Is Jake Browning’s Wrist Injury?

Speaking of Browning, he appeared on Thursday’s injury report with, ironically enough, a right wrist issue. The Bengals listed Browning as a full participant despite the injury, which he said was just some cramping after making his first career start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Why the Bengals Will Be Committed To Getting Chase Brown Involved Monday Night

Or, given the adversarial relationship between the Bengals and the league office — from the 2022 decision to change the rules in the middle of the season and subject the team to a possible coin flip for a division title to the 2023 investigation into Joe Burrow’s right wrist injury — maybe Browning and/or Burrow will be on the injury report with a “right wrist” designation for years to come the way the New England Patriots did with Tom Brady and his decades-long right shoulder injury.

Indoor practice today.

Chido (illness), Trey Hendrickson (rest) back to work, along with Tee, CTB and everyone else who was on yesterday’s injury report.
Only player I don’t see is Jay Tufele. pic.twitter.com/2E6Wmqc4Bp

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) December 1, 2023

The two players who did not practice Thursday were cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (illness) and defensive end Trey Hendrickson (rest). Both were taking part during the open portion on Friday.

Next to Higgins, the most interesting thing to look for when Friday’s injury report comes out will be the status of starting cornerback Cam-Taylor Britt, who missed the Pittsburgh game with a quad injury. Taylor-Britt was limited on Thursday.

The only player not present during the open portion was backup defensive tackle Jay Tufele.

Tee Higgins upgraded to a full participant today, but Cam Taylor-Britt stays limited with an added "ankle" designation. pic.twitter.com/eHLaDytufq

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) December 1, 2023

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: Taylor-Britt was limited for a second consecutive day but the Bengals added an “ankle” designation, clouding his availability for Monday night.

Hendrickson and Awuzie both went full after missing Thursday, while defensive Sam Hubbard joined Higgins in being upgraded from limited to full.

Tufele’s absence was due to an illness.

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