Will Joe Burrow, Higgins, Hendrickson Play vs. Ravens? Latest Update on Bengals Stars

The Cincinnati Bengals will be without receiver Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson for Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Zac Taylor announced on Monday.

There is some good news, however, as Taylor expects quarterback Joe Burrow to play:

Burrow has not played since suffering a turf toe injury—which required surgery—in Week 2. He was a full participant in a couple of practices last week.

Higgins was carted off the field during Sunday's contest against the New England Patriots after hitting his head on the turf while trying to make a catch. The Bengals announced that he suffered a concussion, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Higgins is in concussion protocol.

Higgins' mother offered an update after the game:

With Higgins out, the Bengals fell to the Patriots, 26-20.

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It hasn't been a career season for Higgins, but he's once again been a vital part of the Bengals offense, coming into Sunday's contest as the second-leading receiver with 544 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Bengals were already without their star receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, on Sunday. The NFL's receptions leader was serving a one-game suspension for spitting on Jalen Ramsey during last week's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chase will be back on the field next week, and the Bengals can only hope Higgins is able to suit up as well.

Hendrickson, meanwhile, has not played since he exited a contest against the New York Jets on Oct. 26 with a hip injury. The 30-year-old has four sacks in seven appearances this season.

At 3-8, Cincinnati's playoff hopes are slim, but having an MVP-caliber quarterback like Burrow back on the field would improve their chances of a late-season miracle significantly. But that task will be even tougher without Higgins and Hendrickson this week.