The Cincinnati Bengals are just two days away from a must-win game against the Washington Commanders. Let's run through which players will play, won't play, or will be game-time decisions. 

WR Tee Higgins 

Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed what every Bengals fan wanted to hear. Higgins is good to make his season debut Monday night after missing the last two weeks with a hamstring injury. Higgins told reporters Friday that he feels 100%, and the coaching staff appears aligned with that.

Zac Taylor said WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is good play on Monday against the Commanders.

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 21, 2024

Expect Higgins to start alongside Ja'Marr Chase at wide receiver. Cincinnati will still want to deploy its two tight end sets often, which could lead to Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin, and Jermaine Burton playing fewer snaps as a result.

DT B.J. Hill

Hill suffered a hamstring injury against the Kansas City Chiefs last week and failed to practice this week, but he was putting in work on the rehab field.

Taylor isn't ready to declare him out just yet, which makes him a game-time decision for Monday. The extra day of rest figures to keep his status up in the air. 

DT Kris Jenkins

Jenkins is set to make his NFL regular season debut Monday after missing the first two weeks with a thumb injury. The Bengals' second-round selection from this year's NFL Draft had surgery on his right thumb 15 days ago. 

Jenkins will wear a club covering his right hand, which he said he can play with.

DT Sheldon Rankins

Rankins, like Hill, also suffered a hamstring injury last week, and his injury appears to be worse than Hill's. He did not practice this week and is already declared out for Monday night. 

The Bengals signed free agent defensive tackle Lawrence Guy this week. Guy will play along with Jenkins to help offset the loss of Rankins. 

S Vonn Bell

Bell was listed with a back injury this week and missed Friday's practice. He was listed as DNP Saturday, but according to Taylor, is trending in a positive direction towards playing.

If he doesn't go, expect second-year player Jordan Battle to start for Bell at strong safety. 

Bengals vs Commanders Saturday Injury Report

Tight end Tanner Hudson (knee) is the only other player aside from Rankins who's already been declared out for Monday. Rookie offensive tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral) and tight end Mike Gesicki (calf) went full after being limited throughout the week. Mims, the team's first-round pick from this year's draft, is on track to making his regular season debut along with Jenkins.

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