The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off of a miserable Week 1 performance that likely inspired a response akin to "burn the tapes." Such a phrase is intended to wipe the minds of what happened in the hopes of turning around one's fortunes rather quickly.
Instead it seems as if the Bengals could be headed toward further misery.
Not only are the Bengals visiting Arrowhead for a showdown with the reigning Super Bowl champions on Sunday afternoon, but they are preparing to do so without one of their best players in wide receiver Tee Higgins.
The Bengals are already coming off of a poor showing and sluggish start in which they looked pitiful on both sides of the ball. The New England Patriots walked away with an unexpected win in Week 1 with Jacoby Brissett at the helm because the Bengals couldn't move the chains themselves (or stop the Patriots from doing so).
The Bengals are a team that could use some reinforcements, but the reports aren't good going into Week 2.
Now coming into Week 2, the hope was that Higgins could be healthy enough to play after resting in Week 1 from a hamstring injury suffered in practice heading into the season-opening game against the Pats. He was doubtful to play in Week 1, which left room for him to get better after another week of rest.
ESPN reporter Adam Schefter says that's unlikely to be the case, however. In an appearance on Pat McAfee's show on the same network, Schefter said, "He's got a hamstring injury. We'll see how the week plays out but I'll be surprised if he plays this week against the Chiefs."
The Bengals are definitely limited offensively without Higgins, who has been a menace to the Chiefs in big games in the past. He has 6 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown last January in their postseason matchup against K.C. Given that the Bengals are still adjusting to life without running back Joe Mixson, who left in the postseason, and other changes, it could be another long day for Cincinnati this Sunday.