Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) reacts with quarterback Joe Burrow (9) after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium.
Image Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with nearly all their offensive firepower available. That is excellent news for fantasy managers relying on Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins or Chase Brown.
Cincinnati listed seven players on its final injury report, but defensive end Shemar Stewart is the only one carrying a game designation. Stewart is doubtful with a knee injury after moving from full participation Wednesday to limited work Thursday and no practice Friday.
The most notable offensive name is Chase, who was listed with a knee issue and a non-injury rest designation. Chase practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday, but Cincinnati gave him no game status, clearing him to play Sunday.
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Higgins is also ready. The veteran receiver appeared on the report with a foot injury but participated fully in all three practices and received no final designation.
Ja'Marr Chase remains an elite fantasy start
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase (1) reacts after the Bengals are forced to punt in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
Sam Greene-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Fantasy managers should not overreact to Chase's limitation in practice. His three full practices and lack of a designation suggest Cincinnati managed his workload. He remains a locked-in WR1.
Chase enters the week ranked as the top fantasy receiver in Week 1. Barring an unexpected setback, fantasy managers should keep him in lineups.
Higgins should also be started confidently. His full week removes most concern, while his touchdown potential gives him a high-end WR2 floor. Treat the report as confirmation, not a warning.
The availability of both receivers raises Burrow's ceiling. Cincinnati's quarterback has his two primary weapons without announced restrictions. Burrow is a strong QB1 for Week 1 and has been ranked as high as the overall QB1 for the opening slate.
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Chase Brown avoids injury report
Brown did not appear on Cincinnati's report, leaving him positioned to handle his normal lead-back role. The official depth chart lists Brown ahead of Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks, while fantasy rankings place him firmly in RB1 territory for Week 1.
Health and projected volume make Brown a must-start. Chase and Higgins discourage crowded boxes, while Brown's receiving ability gives him multiple paths to production.
Mike Gesicki and Andrei Iosivas are also absent from the injury report. They remain secondary options because Chase and Higgins command most targets. Gesicki is a matchup-dependent tight-end streamer, while Iosivas is better viewed as a deep-league bench option unless one of Cincinnati's starting receivers misses time.
Shemar Stewart affects Bengals D/ST
Stewart's expected absence has little direct effect on standard offensive fantasy leagues, but it matters for managers considering the Bengals defense. If Stewart sits, rookie Cashius Howell could receive more edge snaps, reducing the certainty of Cincinnati's pass-rush rotation.
Cornerback DJ Turner II was limited Thursday and Friday by a hamstring injury, but he received no game designation. Defensive tackles Jonathan Allen, B.J. Hill and Dexter Lawrence II had rest-related absences during the week and are also cleared.
The final report therefore strengthens the outlook for Cincinnati's primary fantasy players. Chase, Higgins, Burrow and Brown belong in starting lineups, while the Bengals D/ST remains more matchup-dependent because Stewart is unlikely to play.
Fantasy managers should still check the inactive list before kickoff, but Cincinnati's offensive injury report provides clarity. The Bengals' stars are healthy enough to play without reported limitations, and Week 1 lineups should reflect their usual high-end roles.