The New England Patriots will benefit from a key Cincinnati Bengals absence when they take the field for their Week 1 contest at Paycor Stadium.
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is inactive for the season opener due to a hamstring injury. Higgins was added to the injury report late in the week due to the ailment.
Ja'Marr Chase, however, is active for the Bengals. Chase's status was in doubt due to both illness and discontent regarding his contract extension. Chase did not practice with the team throughout training camp, meaning he could be less than full-go against Jerod Mayo's team.
As for the Patriots, guard Sidy Sow was ruled out Saturday. Sow spent the vast majority of training camp as the first-string left guard.
Fourth-round rookie receiver Javon Baker is a healthy scratch with four players the Patriots claimed off waivers. Rookie signal-caller Joe Milton III will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, running back Antonio Gibson and offensive tackle Vederian Lowe are all active after their respective statuses were in question.
Here's the full Patriots inactive list:
WR Javon Baker
QB Joe Milton III
LB Curtis Jacobs
G Sidy Sow
OT Zachary Thomas
OT Demontrey Jacobs
DT Eric Johnson
Here are the full list for the Bengals:
WR Tee Higgins
WR Kendrick Pryor
DE Cedric Johnson
OT Amarius Mims
TE Tanner McLachlan
DT Kris Jenkins Jr.
