NFL Rumors: Bengals Star Unavailable For Week 1 Vs. Patriots

The New England Patriots will begin their season going up against an undermanned Cincinnati Bengals squad at Paycor Stadium in Week 1.

Bengals star wideout Tee Higgins is "expected" to be sidelined with a hamstring injury, according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero. Higgins tweaked his hamstring during practice earlier in the week in preparation for New England, continuing a recurring health issue for the 25-year-old that'll remove Cincinnati's biggest offensive weapon to begin 2024. Higgins was in high spirits throughout the development of his unclear status.

"I feel great. I feel amazing, just ready to go," Higgins told reporters Thursday, per Caleb Noe of WCPO. "At the end of the day I'm just ready to go, man. This is definitely the best I've felt going into Week 1. Physically, I'm fine and mentally ready. So just ready to get out there and put on a show for the fans Week 1."

Higgins has suffered six hamstring injuries across the past five seasons, dating back to his collegiate career at Clemson. Although the four-year veteran tried to downplay the injury when speaking with members of the media, Higgins remains the biggest blow for the Bengals, especially for quarterback Joe Burrow who relies heavily on him. Higgins has recorded two 1,000-plus-yard seasons -- consecutively in 2021 and 2022 -- and is coming off a shortened 12-game campaign last season for Cincinnati.

Not having to worry about covering Higgins provides a major sigh of relief for Patriots first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and New England's secondary, heading into a slate in which expectations aren't high for the franchise moving past its Bill Belichick era. Two seasons ago, Higgins totaled eight catches for 128 yards with a touchdown -- Higgins' lone career matchup against New England.

Pelissero also reported that fellow Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase remains listed as questionable while still in the middle of contract discussions.