NFL Player News

Higgins and quarterback Joe Burrow have had no trouble connecting at practice, Dan Hoard of the Bengals' official website reports.

Higgins and Burrow were drafted together in 2020, and they've had a long-standing connection with one another on the field. The two players have had no trouble getting back up to speed with each other after the offseason, and amongst the many plays they've made at camp, Higgins reeled in a red zone touchdown pass from Burrow at practice Tuesday. The wide receiver caught 59 of 98 targets for 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 2025, a campaign during which Burrow, Jake Browning and Joe Flacco all started at least three contests at quarterback. Now with Burrow fully healthy ahead of the 2026 season, Higgins figures to once again be one of the most productive No. 2 WRs in the NFL.

Brown rushed five times for 16 yards in Thursday's preseason-opening 16-14 win over the Lions.

Brown and the rest of Cincinnati's starters played two drives Thursday. After recording at least 1,350 scrimmage yards and 11 total touchdowns in each of the past two regular seasons, Brown is locked in atop a Bengals running back depth chart that also includes Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks. Cincinnati will continue preseason play Aug. 22 against the Bears.

Burrow completed five of six passes for 39 yards in Thursday's preseason-opening 16-14 win over the Lions.

Burrow played on Cincinnati's first two possessions Thursday before turning things over to backups Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford. The Bengals' two drives with Burrow in the game resulted in a punt and a field goal. Offense hasn't been the Bengals' problem when Burrow has been healthy, so the star QB isn't expected to see extensive action during the preseason.

Rodgers did not suit up for Thursday night's preseason opener against the Packers, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

According to coach Mike McCarthy, he was prepared to play Rodgers in the exhibition but opted against it since Michael Pittman (leg) wasn't available. McCarthy said he only would've used Rodgers if both Pittman and DK Metcalf (undisclosed) were able to play. Rodgers' next chance for game action will be next Friday against another one of his former teams, the Jets.

Chase caught his only target for 16 yards in Thursday's preseason-opening 16-14 win over the Lions.

Chase's catch came on Joe Burrow's first pass of the game, as the star QB-WR duo didn't take long to get on the same page. Cincinnati's starting offense played two possessions, but Chase wasn't thrown to again. Chase is expected to see a heavy dose of targets again in 2026 after leading the league in that category during each of the past two regular seasons. Cincinnati's next preseason game will be Aug. 22 against the Bears.

Rourke (ribs) is questionable to return to Thursday night's preseason contest against the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Rourke suffered an injury to his ribs in the first half, and his status for the remainder of the game is now up in the air. The second-year pro is competing with Adrian Martinez for the No. 3 quarterback role with San Francisco this season, and his chances to beat out Martinez would take a major hit if the injury sidelines him moving forward.

Bisontis (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday night's preseason contest against the Raiders.

Bisontis is dealing with an apparent left knee injury, and as a result, his night has come to a premature end. An update on the offensive lineman's status will likely arrive when the Cardinals return to practice this weekend.

Jones (hand) is questionable to return to Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Jones exited the contest in the first quarter with an apparent hand injury. Even if the cornerback is capable of returning to the game, the team will likely hold him out as a precaution. Jones is competing to take over outside cornerback snaps across from Deommodore Lenoir, but Renardo Green is still the presumed favorite to enter the season with a starting role.

Black (thigh) will not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Black is competing for one of the relief running back roles behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed), so the sooner the 2026 third-rounder gets back on the field, the better. With primary competition Jordan James (ribs) also out for Thursday's game, Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert and Zamir White will get a chance to prove they should be in the conversation for spots on the 53-man roster.

James (ribs) will not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

James fractured his rib in late July and has still not recovered from the issue. Once healthy, the running back will have a chance to earn complementary work behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed), though as long as McCaffrey is available this season, he'll be busy, leaving limited touches for his backups. With fellow RB Kaelon Black (thigh) also not participating in Thursday's game, Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert and Zamir White are on hand to absorb Thursday's carries in an effort to climb a depth chart littered with injuries before cutdown day.