Bengals' Star Wide Receivers Cleared for Week 7

After a thrilling 30-26 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, the Cincinnati Bengals appear poised to build some momentum. Despite beginning the week hampered by injury, wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were left off the team's final injury report for Week 7, indicating they're both ready to go for Sunday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins are not listed on the game status report, meaning they will be good to go on Sunday vs. Atlanta.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 21, 2022

Higgins logged a limited participation on Wednesday with an ankle injury, and Chase was hobbled by an ailing hip. The pair combined for 179 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's exciting win over the Saints, and they have a juicy matchup this week against the Falcons, who have allowed the second-most passing yards in the league.

The Bengals opened the season with disappointing losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys in the first two weeks of the season, but they've begun to hit their stride in recent weeks, scoring 27 or more points in three of their past four games. Higgins was absent with an ankle injury for much of the team's 19-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the only blip in that streak.

Higgins and Chase emerged as the league's premier young receiver duo in 2021, each topping 1000 yards 9.0 yards per target for the eventual AFC champion Bengals. At 23 and 22 years old, the pair have a rare opportunity to grow and develop together for years to come should the Bengals find a way to keep them both long-term. Higgins is set to hit free agency following the 2023 season, and Chase's five-year rookie contract should keep him with the team through at least 2025.