CINCINNATI — Wide receiver Tee Higgins of the Bengals (hamstring) was sidelined for the second session in a row on Thursday, putting him at risk of missing Cincinnati’s season finale against the Cleveland Browns.
Joe Mixon (illness) did not practice as he begins his 2024 campaign.
Aside from Higgins, the injured players were Jalen Davis (groin) and Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder).
Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder) completely trained because he is scheduled to participate.SS
The Cleveland Browns are hoping to use this week to get healthier for the postseason, but a handful of players were added to Thursday’s injury report as they prepare for their game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Whether those are real injuries or merely part of the Browns plan to try to get healthier is unclear at this point.
Wide Receiver Marquise Goodwin was added to the injury report with a knee issue that limited his participation. Safety Juan Thornhill is back on the injury report with a calf issue that limited his participation. Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk did not participate, also listed with a calf. He missed a few weeks with a calf injury. Defensive tackle Shelby Harris was out with a back issue and safety Duron Harmon was limited with an ankle on Wednesday, but didn’t practice at all on Thursday. Safety Juan Thornhill was back on the injury report, limited with a calf that’s been giving him problems.
It’s possible that these are maintenance days and this was a way to help them manage issues they’ve been dealing with and heal. If, however, these are new issues, the Browns could be further limited in a game where they are trying to get healthier. As much as the Browns would like to be able to rest their defensive tackles, they don’t have enough on the active roster to pull it off. The Browns were already playing with their back end safeties. It’s something to monitor.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Elijah Moore and edge Ogbonnia Okoronkwo both practiced again on Thursday, still limited. Left guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver Amari Cooper, both named to the Pro Bowl Wednesday night, continued to be held out to recuperate their injuries. Tight end David Njoku, also named to the Pro Bowl, returned to practice after being ill on Wednesday, though he was limited.
Corners Mike Ford Jr. (calf) and Greg Newsome II (knee), center Ethan Pocic (shoulder, stinger), and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (knee) remained out with injuries. Quarterback Joe Flacco, defensive end Myles Garrett and corner Denzel Ward, none of which seem likely to play Sunday, continue to be full participants in practice this week.
For the Bengals, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was a full participant in practice on Thursday and told local reporters that he intends to play
