Bengals receive brutal Week 11 injury update heading into matchup vs Chargers
Injury comes at a critical time in Bengals' season
The Bengals season has hung in the balance since suffering a disheartening defeat to the Browns in Week 8, a result that dropped them to 5-3. A Week 10 win over the Panthers offered hope for the season, but a Week 11 matchup against the Chargers might be a daunting challenge for multiple reasons, the first being an injury to one of Cincinnati's most important offensive players.
The Bengals learned Friday that they'd be without wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase in Week 11 after he suffered a hip injury in practice. Chase leads the Bengals in receiving touchdowns with six and ranks second in receiving yards with 605. His absence is a major blow to the Bengals' passing attack, as he's a big-play threat who has been one of the NFL's most productive receivers through nine weeks.
Tee Higgins expected to take over top target duties in Chase's absence
With Chase out, Tee Higgins will likely become the Bengals' top target in the passing game. Higgins has 47 receptions for 650 yards and four touchdowns this season, and he's capable of being a star in this offense.
Higgins has averaged 6.1 receptions, 72.2 receiving yards, and 0.4 touchdowns per game this season, and he's coming off a seven-reception, 124-yard performance against the Panthers. He'll likely see even more targets with Chase out of the lineup, and he could be a great option for fantasy football owners who are looking for a replacement for Chase.
Other Bengals injuries to monitor
The Bengals have also been dealing with injuries to other key players, including quarterback Joe Burrow (foot), running back Joe Mixon (concussion), and defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck). Burrow is expected to play in Week 11, but Mixon and Hendrickson are both questionable.
If Mixon is unable to play, Samaje Perine would likely start at running back for the Bengals. Perine has rushed for 303 yards and one touchdown this season, and he's also a capable receiver out of the backfield.
If Hendrickson is unable to play, Cam Sample would likely start at defensive end for the Bengals. Sample has three sacks this season, and he's a rising star on the Bengals' defense.
Bengals looking to avoid letdown against Chargers
The Bengals are coming off a big win over the Panthers, but they can't afford to overlook the Chargers in Week 11. The Chargers are 5-4 this season, and they have a talented roster led by quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chargers are also coming off a bye week, so they'll be well-rested for the matchup against the Bengals.
The Bengals will need to play their best game of the season to beat the Chargers. They'll need to protect Burrow, run the ball effectively, and make big plays in the passing game. With Chase out, the Bengals will need Higgins to step up and be a star. If the Bengals can do all of those things, they'll have a good chance of winning and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
