The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves in a do-or-die situation as they cling to their playoff hopes heading into their Week 18 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Joe Burrow is determined to do everything possible to help his team succeed, including promising to manufacture touches for Ja’Marr Chase in an effort to help the star wide receiver set a record. In addition, Burrow has made a public plea for the organization to re-sign Tee Higgins, whose future with the team remains uncertain.
The Bengals’ injury report ahead of Saturday’s critical matchup is lengthy, adding to the challenges they face. According to Ari Meirov’s report on X (formerly Twitter), several key players are listed as questionable, including wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle/knee), running back Chase Brown (ankle), offensive tackle Amarius Mims (ankle/hand), cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle), wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin), and tight end Drew Sample (groin). For Cincinnati (8-8) to make the playoffs, they must not only defeat the Steelers but also hope for losses by the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins.
Higgins, despite not being fully healthy, has expressed his intention to play in this crucial game. “It could be my last game playing here in this stadium with stripes on,” Higgins said in a YouTube post by the Bengals. “I want to go out with a bang. Hopefully, it’s not, but you never know what the future holds.” Higgins’ uncertain future with the team has been a point of discussion, and head coach Zac Taylor emphasized the importance of having players like Higgins and Chase on the roster. “We know what we’ve got with those guys on the field,” Taylor told Sports Illustrated. “Those guys want to be here, and we want them here. Those are offseason conversations, but we know what type of team we have when those guys play together.”
Meanwhile, running back Chase Brown remains a question mark due to his injury, and Taylor acknowledged that managing injured players is a priority as they prepare for the must-win game. “Yeah, manage him throughout the week,” Taylor said of Brown and other injured players like offensive tackle Orlando Brown, who is dealing with a fibula issue. “We’ll just make sure they’re ready for Saturday.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Bengals as they aim to extend their season. A win against Pittsburgh is essential, but it’s clear that health and long-term roster decisions will weigh heavily on the team’s immediate and future prospects.
