CINCINNATI — The absence of two star receivers wasn’t a priority for Bengals coach Zac Taylor on Tuesday.
Following the staff’s first OTA follow, Taylor downplayed Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase not being current for drills. Higgins has but to signal the franchise tag the Bengals positioned on him in February. Chase has but to take part within the staff’s offseason program as nicely. He’s eligible for a brand new contract after reaching the Professional Bowl in every of his first three seasons.
Taylor harassed the voluntary nature of the staff’s exercises and mentioned the absences of Higgins and Chase should not set again the event of the offense.
“[They] are nonetheless working exhausting elsewhere, they usually’ll be again on the proper instances,” Taylor mentioned. “And the sweetness is we all know these guys, we all know what they’re about and that they will be prepared and targeted when it is time to come again.”
Different notable absences included defensive sort out Sheldon Rankins and projected beginning proper sort out Trent Brown. Each gamers have been a part of the staff’s main additions throughout free company. Taylor additionally downplayed these absences when it got here to studying Cincinnati’s playbook.
“They’ve the knowledge, so I do know that they are staying on high of it,” Taylor mentioned. “And once they get right here and are capable of get these reps, I do know that these two guys are vets they usually’ll be in an actual great spot.”
Cincinnati is in search of to bounce again from a disappointing season. After profitable the AFC North in 2021 and 2022 and making deep playoff runs in each years, together with a loss in Tremendous Bowl LVI, Cincinnati missed the playoffs in 2023 after quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist damage.
Burrow has participated within the staff’s offseason program. On Tuesday, he had veteran Trenton Irwin, rookie Jermaine Burton and second-year gamers Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones as out there targets.
Taylor mentioned he likes how Burrow has seemed.
“He is been correct,” Taylor mentioned. “He is been on time [with the ball]. He is throwing with nice velocity and energy.”
The Bengals will conduct OTAs by means of Thursday and once more June 3-6. The staff’s offseason program will conclude with obligatory minicamp June 11-13.
