Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins on track to play; Shemar Stewart remains uncertain

Published September 9, 2026 01:23 PM The Bengals expect to have both of their top wide receivers on the field against the Buccaneers in Week 1. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins returned to practice on Monday and head coach Zac Taylor told reporters at a Wednesday press conference that both players are on track to play. Chase missed time with a hyperextended knee while Higgins has been dealing with a heel injury. “Yes. They’ll continue to do more and more every day, but I like the pace that they’re on right now,” Taylor said. Defensive end Shemar Stewart is the other notable Bengals player dealing with an injury leading into the opener. Stewart has a knee injury and Taylor said that it is possible he will play, but the team will wait to “see where he ends up” later in the week.