Cincinnati Bengals

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Report: Bengals' Chase Brown Has 'Chance' to Play vs. Steelers After Ankle Injury

Dec 29, 2024
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing for their postseason lives in Week 18 against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, and they reportedly may have running back Chase Brown available despite the injury he suffered near the end of regulation in Saturday's win over the Denver Broncos.

"He suffered an ankle sprain," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. "… My understanding is this is not considered to be a major injury, so he does, in fact, have a chance to play next week."

Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz added Brown has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain after an MRI and that the back is "determined" to play in Week 18.

That is welcome news for the Bengals, as Brown has been excellent this season with 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns from scrimmage.

His injury came during a questionable stretch for head coach Zac Taylor, as the Bengals had 1st and goal from the Broncos' 6-yard line in the last two minutes when the game was tied and could have taken knees and run the clock down before kicking the winning field goal.

Instead, they ran it twice with Brown suffering the injury and Joe Burrow scoring to give Denver more time. Denver took full advantage of that time and scored a touchdown on a stunning Marvin Mims Jr. catch, although the Bengals prevailed in overtime thanks to Burrow's touchdown pass to Tee Higgins.

Cincinnati now needs a win over Pittsburgh combined with a Broncos loss to the Kansas City Chiefs to have a chance at the playoffs. They also need the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts to each lose or tie at least one of their final two games.

That Kansas City has clinched the No. 1 seed is unfortunate news for the Bengals, as the reigning champions may rest Patrick Mahomes and others against the Broncos to prepare for the playoffs.

The good news for Burrow's team, though, is Brown may be available against the Steelers. If he isn't, look for Khalil Herbert to take over primary running back duties for the regular-season finale.

Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase: Higgins Went Out with 'Bang' if Week 17 Win is Last Home Game

Dec 29, 2024
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a touchdown pass against Ja'Quan McMillian #29 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a touchdown pass against Ja'Quan McMillian #29 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase was impressed with wide receiver Tee Higgins' performance against the Denver Broncos in what may have been his final home game with the team.

"If that was his last game in this stadium, he went out with a bang," Chase said, per SI.com's Jay Morrison. "But that's a big if."

Higgins finished with 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns during the Bengals' 30-24 victory over the Denver Broncos, which included the game-winning score in overtime.

The 25-year-old is currently slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

Extension negotiations between both sides previously fell apart, as Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Bengals' offer to Higgins "never approached" the range of roughly $20 million per year.

Still, the former second-round pick has discussed his desire to remain with the team.

Higgins said that he "would love" to stay in Cincinnati but acknowledged "this business is crazy" when speaking to TMZ Sports on Dec. 19.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has also campaigned for the team to re-sign the receiver.

"Those discussions are ongoing," Burrow said after a 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, via NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "I'm confident we are going to be able to do what it takes to bring Tee back. I know that I am going to do what it takes to get him back. So he can have those talks; those are going to be offseason discussions. I think we are excited about that opportunity."

Entering Saturday's action, Higgins hauled in 58 receptions for 727 yards and seven touchdowns. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in two of the first four seasons of his career.

Higgins recently switched his representation to NFL agent Rocky Arceneaux, who also boasts Chase as one of his clients. Chase is searching for an extension of his own after he was unable to reach an agreement with Cincinnati before the start of the regular season.

While Higgins may have played his last game as a Bengal at Paycor Stadium, he put together another strong performance in front of the home crowd.

Joe Burrow Excites NFL Fans as Bengals Beat Broncos in OT to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Dec 29, 2024
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow authored a legendary performance by throwing for 412 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-24 overtime win at home against the Denver Broncos on Saturday.

Burrow found Tee Higgins for a three-yard touchdown with 1:07 remaining in OT to clinch the must-win game, keeping Cincinnati's faint playoff hopes alive.

Burrow also connected with Higgins for 31 yards down the sideline to set up the score.

The fifth-year pro threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns, all of which went to Higgins, who had 11 catches for 131 yards.

Ja'Marr Chase added nine catches for 102 yards, and tight end Mike Gesicki caught 10 passes for 86 yards.

As Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote, Burrow and the Bengals had this game won three different times. The third time was the charm.

Cincinnati linebacker Germaine Pratt set up the first potential game-winning drive by intercepting a Bo Nix pass with 2:34 left in regulation to put the Bengals at their own 41-yard line.

Burrow immediately found Chase for 38 yards and later capped the drive with a one-yard QB sneak to help put the Bengals up 24-17.

However, Nix worked his magic and moved Denver down the field. On 4th-and-1 from the Bengals' 25, Nix found double-covered wideout Marvin Mims in the end zone with eight seconds left. The PAT tied the game.

Cincinnati and Denver traded punts to start overtime, but the Bengals then marched down the field, with a Burrow 19-yard strike to Higgins serving as the big play.

Cincinnati kicker Cade York soon jogged onto the field for a 33-yard field goal attempt, but he hooked the football left off the upright.

Cincinnati needed a stop to keep its season alive, and the Bengals got just that after a three-and-out.

Burrow then went back to work, first hitting Andre Iosivas for 16 yards. Backup running back Khalil Herbert, who replaced an injured Chase Brown (sprained ankle) after he suffered the ailment late in the fourth quarter, then rushed for 13.

The Burrow-Higgins connection then took over, and the Bengals won an absolute thriller.

Simply put, Burrow is on a heater as he keeps the Bengals' playoff hopes intact.

Burrow's doing so well that he's even getting a little MVP talk, although that seems unlikely given Cincinnati's struggles this year.

Still, Burrow has been tremendous, and analysts, fans and even a couple current and ex-superstar football players recognized his greatness.

Now the focus turns toward whether Burrow can keep this magic going in the postseason. Despite the win, the Bengals still need few results to go their way to make the playoffs.

First, they need the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins to lose one of their final two games. Indianapolis closes at the 2-13 New York Giants and home versus the 3-12 Jacksonville Jaguars. Miami finishes at the 3-12 Cleveland Browns and at the 4-11 New York Jets.

The Bengals also need the Broncos to lose at home to the 15-1 Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 5. Kansas City has clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed and may very well rest its starters in advance of the playoffs.

Cincinnati also needs to beat the host Pittsburgh Steelers, who sport a 10-6 mark, on Jan. 5.

So there's a lot that needs to happen. However, the Bengals go into Week 18 still alive for the playoffs, and that didn't look probable after the team dropped to 4-8 earlier this year. A four-game win streak gives the Bengals a pulse, though, thanks largely to the Burrow-led offense.

Joe Burrow Hyped as 'Best Player in the World' By Bengals HC After OT Win vs. Broncos

Dec 29, 2024
CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals meet in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals meet in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is all-world in the eyes of his head coach.

Following the Bengals' 30-24 victory over the Denver Broncos on Saturday, head coach Zac Taylor described Burrow as the "best player in the world."

"I don't know that anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and say he's not the best player in the world," Taylor said, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The Bengals' victory kept the team's postseason hopes alive heading into the final week of the season. Burrow went 39-of-49 for 412 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.

He is up to 4,229 yards with 39 touchdowns and just eight interceptions and has helped the Bengals get to 8-8 after a difficult 0-3 start to the season. He leads the NFL in passing yards and is tied with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in passing touchdowns.

Cincinnati has won five consecutive games and could get into the final Wild Card spot with a win in Week 18 and some luck in other matchups around the NFL.

Burrow will hope to lead his team to a winning season next Sunday when the Bengals face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bengals' Chase Brown Suffered Ankle Sprain Injury in Win vs. Broncos, HC Taylor Says

Dec 29, 2024
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Jonathon Cooper #0 of the Denver Broncos tackles Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Jonathon Cooper #0 of the Denver Broncos tackles Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

During the Cincinnati Bengals' stunning 30-24 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos on Saturday, running back Chase Brown suffered an ankle sprain, according to head coach Zac Taylor, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Brown suffered the injury while attempting to slide near the end zone late in the fourth quarter and the extent of the injury remains unknown at this time.

"I just know it's an ankle sprain, we'll see from there," Taylor told reporters post game.

Brown recorded 20 carries for 67 yards during Saturday's win before exiting the game just inside the two-minute warning of the fourth quarter and not returning to overtime.

After the injury, Brown managed to get back on his feet but took a few steps before collapsing to the turf. He then headed to the sideline with a noticeable limp.

Khalil Herbert stepped in to replace Brown, finishing the game with 23 yards on four carries.

In his second NFL season, Brown has logged 209 carries for 923 yards and seven touchdowns, appearing in all 14 games so far.

In his rookie season last year, Brown missed several games with a hamstring injury but still recorded 44 carries for 179 yards.

The Bengals' final game of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers is a must-win for them to secure a postseason berth.

Bengals' Tee Higgins on Viral Burrow TD Video: 'Motherf--ker Looked Like Superman'

Dec 22, 2024
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates a touchdown with Ja'Marr Chase #1 and Tee Higgins #5 during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates a touchdown with Ja'Marr Chase #1 and Tee Higgins #5 during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Pick a superhero, any superhero.

And it probably describes Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Burrow threw an unbelievable touchdown pass to Tee Higgins during the team's 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday where he somehow managed to avoid hitting the ground before releasing the throw.

"Motherf--ker looked like Superman when he was throwing it," Higgins told reporters. "I'm calling him Superman from this day forward. F--k Batman, Superman."

It's hard to argue with the notion, as Burrow was excellent once again for the Bengals while going 23-of-30 for 252 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He entered play leading the league in passing yards and has done all he can to keep his team in the playoff race despite a suspect defense.

Cincinnati is still alive in that AFC race and improved to 7-8 with a third straight win. It will have to win out with victories over the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers all while getting some help elsewhere, but that is a better position than most likely expected when it started 4-8.

And Burrow is largely to thank for it.

Joe Burrow Gave Bengals Linemen Authentic Japanese Katana Swords as Holiday Gift

Dec 19, 2024
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 15: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bengals defeated the Titans 37-27. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 15: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bengals defeated the Titans 37-27. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow put a lot of thought into his Christmas gifts for the Bengals offensive linemen.

Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reported that Burrow gifted his offensive linemen with authentic Japanese Katana swords. Each sword is unique, with their own story from certain areas of Japan or battles they were used in.

"Joe does a great job at buying gifts that are extremely meaningful," offensive tackle Orlando Brown said, per Dehner. "The fact that he bought me a sword, it's the most ancient form of respect."

The Bengals are currently 6-8 and need to win out plus get a little help in order to make the playoffs. Despite the mediocre record, Burrow has had a strong year, throwing for 3,977 yards with 36 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

He's also getting sacked at the lowest rate in his career, per Pro Football Reference, so the efforts from his linemen have benefitted his play.

Burrow and the Bengals will look to fight on in Week 16 when they take on the Cleveland Browns.

Video: Tee Higgins 'Would Love' New Bengals Contract, Says 'This Business Is Crazy'

Dec 19, 2024
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 09: Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 9, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 09: Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 9, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

As Joe Burrow continues to publicly advocate for the Cincinnati Bengals to keep Tee Higgins, the star receiver is certainly open to remaining with the club beyond this season.

Speaking to TMZ Sports (starts at :30 mark), Higgins said he "would love" to stay with the Bengals but acknowledged "this business is crazy" and he will keep his options open.

It has been assumed that Higgins would sign with another team as a free agent after this season. When he was negotiating with the Bengals last offseason, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported their offer "never approached" $20 million per season.

As this season has drawn closer to a conclusion, Burrow has made a point of advocating for the Bengals to keep Higgins.

"Those discussions are ongoing," Burrow said after Cincinnati's 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 9. "I'm confident that I think we're going to do what it takes to bring Tee back. ... I know that I'm going to do what it takes to get him back and so is he. We've had those talks. Those are going to be offseason discussions. But I think we're excited about that opportunity."

The situation is complicated because the Bengals also have to get a deal done with Ja'Marr Chase. He was extension-eligible last offseason and were reportedly close to an agreement before talks fell apart over some of the finer details of the contract.

Burrow is already tied for the second-highest paid quarterback in the NFL at $55 million per season. Chase and Higgins could reasonably be expected to get a combined $55-60 million per season on their next contracts.

That's a lot of money tied up into three players for a Bengals team that has a lot of roster problems, particularly on defense, to fix in the offseason. They are allowing the second-most points per game in the NFL this season.

Another problem is Bengals owner Mike Brown has a reputation for being frugal when it comes to spending money.

Whether he stays with the Bengals or signs with another team, it's safe to assume that Higgins will get a lucrative contract. He has 669 yards and six touchdowns in nine games this season.

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