The Cincinnati Bengals will be without several key starters when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that wide receiver Tee Higgins and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt will be ruled out of Sunday's game due to hamstring and quad injuries, respectively.

It comes as no surprise that neither Higgins nor Taylor-Britt practiced throughout the week, making their absence from the upcoming game a logical outcome. This will be Higgins' third consecutive game missed due to a hamstring injury, which has plagued him throughout the season. In the seven games he has managed to play, he has recorded 27 receptions for 328 yards and two touchdowns. With Higgins sidelined, wide receiver Trenton Irwin is expected to have an expanded role after showing promise with five receptions in the team's last two games.

The loss of Taylor-Britt will be a blow to the Bengals' defense. As the team's top cornerback, he has been having an impressive season and leads the team with four interceptions. His absence will require Chidobe Awuize and rookie D.J. Turner to step up as the starting outside cornerbacks, while former Steeler Mike Hilton takes up the nickel slot position. The Bengals' defense, which already has the unfortunate distinction of allowing the most completions of 20-plus yards in the NFL, will now have to face the challenge of compensating for the absence of their top corner.

With quarterback Joe Burrow out for the season due to a torn ligament in his hand, backup quarterback Jake Browning will make his first career start. Browning, who was an undrafted free agent in 2019, spent time with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Bengals. He was thrust into action last Thursday when Burrow got injured and played the second half, throwing a touchdown late in the game. Browning will have had a full week of practice reps to prepare for the Steelers' defense.

Injury concerns also loom over defensive tackle B.J. Hill, who suffered a non-contact knee injury against the Ravens. Hill has practiced in a limited capacity this week, giving hope that he will be available to play against the Steelers.

The Cincinnati Bengals will release their final injury report later this afternoon, providing further updates on the team's status heading into the game. The matchup between the Bengals and Steelers is scheduled for Sunday at 1 PM/EST in Cincinnati.