Bengals likely to remain shorthanded on short week

The Bengals must bounce back quickly from their 30-27 loss to the Texans as they face the Ravens on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 11. But it looks like they may have to do it without one of their best playmakers.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, it's considered unlikely that WR Tee Higgins will be able to return from his hamstring injury on a short week.

The former second-round pick was absent from Cincinnati's Week 10 contest and it certainly showed.

Although WR Ja'Marr Chase finished the day with five catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, it took him some time to find success as he was facing a lot of double coverage.

The next man up to fill in for Higgins was WR Tyler Boyd. The veteran wide receiver had a nice game, posting eight catches for 117 yards but he dropped a crucial touchdown late in the game, which surely had fans missing Higgins.

Higgins hasn't had the season he likely imagined, but he has still proven to be a difference maker when on the field with 27 catches for 328 yards and two touchdowns.

Nonetheless, it seems the Bengals will be without him once again, which doesn't bode well for their pass attack. Baltimore is allowing the fourth-least passing yards per game (173.1) in the league.

Cincinnati may need to rely on its running game a little more with Higgins expected to be out once again, which has RB Joe Mixon ready to step up for the challenge.

"We just got to do whatever we can to turn the page and get ready for a big divisional game," Mixon said.