The Cincinnati Bengals came into their Week 4 game against the Jaguars boasting the best wide receiver duo in the NFL. They finished the game with both of those wide receivers injured and on the sidelines.
Ja’Marr Chase was lost in the first half after a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit from linebacker Ventrell Miller while the wide receiver’s facemask was being held by cornerback Jarrian Jones. Then, in the second half, Higgins was lost to an adductor injury. He tried to come back but eventually was forced
to turn over his helmet.
That left the Bengals with Dohnte Meyers and Mitchell Tinsley, who was signed off the Texans’ practice squad earlier this week.
It’s currently unclear as to how much time Chase and Higgins will miss, if they miss any time at all, but the Bengals are going to at least need to kick the tires on bringing in help at the wide receiver position. If they do, they’re most likely to pluck someone from one of the league’s practice squads, but here’s who’s available if they decide to bring a free agent in.
Curtis Samuel
Samuel suffered an elbow injury that ended his 2025 season, but he has since recovered and is an unrestricted free agent after being cut from the Bills in March. The former second-round pick and Buckeye could find himself in need as injuries mount up this season.
DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins is 34 years old, and he may be an assistant wide receivers coach for Georgia Tech, but he’s not retired. He played in 17 games for the Ravens in 2025. Even though he didn’t do too much with Baltimore, the future Hall of Fame wide receiver should still command enough respect that it could open things up for others.
Zay Jones
Jones suffered a torn Achilles in Week 10 of the 2025 season and was placed on IR, but has since recovered. He was signed by the Houston Texans before the 2026 season. He was cut in August and is still awaiting a phone call from a receiver-needy team.
Tyreek Hill
Hill has been around the league for a long time. He suffered a nasty knee injury in Week 4 of the 2025 season, and he’s not completely cleared for action, but his team is eyeing a possible November return. Considering the injury and the fact that he’s lost a step, this one’s not realistic.
Trenton Irwin
Hey, here’s a guy you may remember. Irwin was signed off the Dolphins’ practice squad in 2019 and stayed on the team until December of the 2024 season when he was waived. Since then, he bounced around the league. He was most recently with the 49ers, where he was cut at the end of August.
Hopefully both Higgins and Chase don’t miss any time, and the Bengals won’t need to bring in any outside help at wide receiver. If they have to, though, who would you like them to sign? Would you take someone from this list or someone else not mentioned?
Sound off!
