Zac Taylor Gives Joe Burrow Credit for Bengals’ Backup Receiver Impact

The Cincinnati Bengals could be without their top two wide receivers when they travel to Miami this week, putting even more pressure on the depth of a position group that has already dealt with injuries early in the season.

Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have both dealt with injuries heading into Week 5. Chase suffered a concussion during Cincinnati’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and was placed in the league’s concussion protocol, while Higgins has also been dealing with an injury that could keep him sidelined this week.

The Bengals have also dealt with injuries to other receivers. Andrei Iosivas is on injured reserve, while Colbie Young has also been dealing with an injury. With so many players unavailable, Cincinnati could be forced to rely heavily on its backup receivers against the Dolphins.

Fortunately for the Bengals, some of those depth pieces have already shown they are capable of making an impact.

Dohnte Meyers had one of the best games of his young career against Jacksonville, finishing with seven receptions for 82 yards. With Chase and Higgins potentially unavailable, Meyers could be asked to take on an even larger role and potentially enter Sunday as Cincinnati’s No. 1 wide receiver.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor believes the team’s ability to get production from its backup receivers stems from not only wide receiver coach Troy Walters, but also Joe Burrow's ability as a passer. Taylor pointed to Burrow’s accuracy and consistency as major reasons why Cincinnati’s depth receivers can step onto the field and contribute immediately.

Burrow has built chemistry with Cincinnati’s receiver room throughout his career, and his ability to consistently put the ball in the right spot gives the team’s depth receivers an opportunity to succeed when their number is called. Taylor believes that consistency makes the transition easier for receivers who suddenly find themselves playing a much larger role.

That will be especially important this week.

The Bengals’ offense has already faced questions through the first four weeks of the season, and potentially playing without Chase and Higgins would make the challenge even more difficult. Cincinnati will need its depth receivers to continue making plays while Burrow finds ways to keep the offense moving.

Meyers could be at the center of that effort, but he will not be the only player Cincinnati needs. With the Bengals heading to Miami, the depth of the receiver room will once again be put to the test and could be the difference between 3-2 and 2-3.