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Bengals start 2026 opener healthy with Chase, Higgins

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 12:26 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Bengals Open Healthy

The Cincinnati Bengals will open the 2026 season with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and DJ Turner healthy.
Defensive end Shemar Stewart is doubtful after a knee hyperextension in training camp.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said wide receiver Emeka Egbuka will be full go for the opener.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Summary

Buccaneers Revamp

Buccaneers will run a reimagined offense under coordinator Zac Robinson, modeled after the 2024 system with Liam Coen.
Todd Bowles plans to blitz roughly 27 percent of plays, matching his 2022 pressure rate.
Cincinnati will start the same five offensive linemen as the previous season finale, a first in 16 years.
Cincinnati’s trade for nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II underscores the franchise’s push to strengthen its defensive interior.

History

Historical Context

In 2002 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers paid two first-round picks, two second-round picks and $8 million to acquire coach Jon Gruden, revamped the offense and led a 12-4 season that culminated in Super Bowl XXXVII. That rapid turnaround set a precedent for today’s 2026 roster overhauls, as Cincinnati retains Ja’Marr Chase and Tampa Bay installs a new Zac Robinson offense.

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Bengals Open Healthy

The Cincinnati Bengals will open the 2026 season with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and DJ Turner healthy.
Defensive end Shemar Stewart is doubtful after a knee hyperextension in training camp.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said wide receiver Emeka Egbuka will be full go for the opener.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

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