Joe Burrow is absolutely feeling confident about his receiver options for the Cincinnati Bengals’ game against the Miami Dolphins, even with his top two guys potentially sidelined. Ja’Marr Chase is in concussion protocol and Tee Higgins is dealing with a neck and groin issue, and neither of them practiced Wednesday, October 7th. It’s wild to even think about the Bengals’ pass-heavy attack surviving without those two, but Burrow’s making it sound like it’s totally possible.
Who Steps Up? Burrow’s Building Trust Fast
The Bengals’ offense usually leans super hard on Chase and Higgins, no doubt. But the depth at wide receiver is suddenly looking like it could carry the load, especially against the winless Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Burrow’s got growing confidence in this group of available receivers. That’s a huge deal. We’re talking about rookie Colbie Young, who just came back to practice after an injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Burrow called him a “big, physical guy” and noted he’s the “same archetype as Tee.” That’s high praise. Burrow said, “I feel confident whoever we put out there, we’re gonna make it work.” That’s the kind of faith you want from your QB.
The Playmakers Making a Statement
It’s not just Young, though. Burrow’s options against Miami also include Dohnte Meyers and the recently re-acquired Mitch Tinsley. Remember that final drive in the October 4th loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars? Meyers and Tinsley were crucial there. Meyers racked up seven catches for 82 yards. Tinsley, who the Bengals picked up after the September 27th loss to Pittsburgh when Andrei Iosivas and Young were both hurt, immediately proved his worth. He snagged three catches for 49 yards on seven targets from Burrow against the Jags, showing that their on-field connection hadn’t faded one bit. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor even mentioned how gaining Burrow’s trust can happen anytime, anywhere, and once it’s there, there’s “no ambiguity.”
What’s Next for the Bengals?
Losing Chase and Higgins absolutely changes how the Bengals operate, but Burrow is painting a positive picture, stressing that everyone’s going to spend the days leading up to the Miami game locked in and getting prepared. For Chase and Higgins, it’s all about rest and recovery. For the other guys, it’s about seizing these increased opportunities in practice. The Bengals get a bye week after Miami, so the pressure is on these guys to perform now. They roll into Hard Rock Stadium on October 11th to face a Dolphins team still looking for their first win. If Burrow’s new favorites can step up, Miami’s search for a W is gonna keep on going.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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