Cincinnati Bengals Practice Update: QB Joe Burrow Off the Injury Report, But a New Name Surfaces

The Cincinnati Bengals began preparation today for their Week 5 game at Arizona. While they did so without wide receiver Tee Higgins, quarterback Joe Burrow said he felt “really good” and that he’s confident he’ll be able to do some of the things his calf injury has limited in the first four games.

For the first time all season, Burrow was not listed on the injury report.

“This is the best I’ve felt after a game, so I’m optimistic,” he said.

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Will Tee Higgins Play at Arizona?

Head coach Zac Taylor said wide receiver Tee Higgins is day to day after he suffered a fractured rib in the first half of Sunday’s 27-3 loss at Tennessee. Higgins did not practice Wednesday, and his status for Thursday’s practice and Sunday’s game are up in the air.

MORE: Bengals Season Is on the Line in Week 5

“Ultimately, we have to make a really sound decision as the week goes of where he’s at medically, how he feels,” Taylor said. “You are afforded a couple more days here on Wednesday, so we’ll just see where it goes during the week.”

Higgins said Monday he didn’t expect to be out multiple weeks and thought he would have a chance to play Sunday when the 1-3 Bengals take on the 1-3 Cardinals in a must-win game to save their season.

As Zac said, no Tee Higgins (rib) at practice. Also don’t see Cam Taylor-Britt (concussion). Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee) is on the rehab field. pic.twitter.com/rhBF0d2mBY

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) October 4, 2023

The only other player not present at practice during the portion open to the media was starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first half Sunday before returning, only to be knocked out of the game by a concussion after a friendly-fire hit from teammate Myles Murphy as both players attempted to make a tackle.

Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was listed as a limited participant with a groin injury. It is not clear if it was something that arose during practice or an issue that has been lingering since Sunday’s game.

Orlando Brown Jr. a new addition to the #Bengals injury report with a groin injury that had him limited today.

Joe Burrow not listed on the report for the first time all year, so obviously he was a full participant today. pic.twitter.com/Eh3yXXb6Hr

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) October 4, 2023

On the positive side of the health ledger, tight end Irv Smith Jr. was back at practice today after missing two games with a hamstring injury.

Smith was listed as a limited participant.

“We’ll be smart with how we utilize him in practice early in the week since he’s coming off the hamstring, and it’s his first time going, but I think he’s had a good weekend and got cleared yesterday to where we feel good starting to work him in,” Taylor said. “We’ll see to what capacity that is today.”