Bengals rule out WR Tee Higgins, DE Sam Hubbard for upcoming game vs. Texans

The Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) will be without wide receiver Tee Higgins and defensive end Sam Hubbard on Sunday when they take on the Houston Texans (4-4).

Higgins is dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered during practice on Wednesday and Hubbard injured his ankle in the Week 9 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Hubbard’s ankle injury doesn’t appear to be a long-term injury but Higgins could end up missing at least two games for the Bengals because Cincinnati plays again Thursday.

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Soft tissue injuries are tricky to manage and the worst situation Higgins and the Bengals could put themselves in is to rush him back and he aggravates his hamstring again.

It's unfortunate timing for the Bengals and Higgins who is coming off his best game of the season.

Higgins has dealt with much adversity this season. The former Clemson standout cracked his rib against the Titans in Week 4 and missed the ensuing game against the Cardinals. Higgins is also in a contract year as he and the Bengals weren't able to reach a contract extension prior to the start of the season.

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is questionable to play. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said “we’ll” see when asked if Chase will play.

Chase underwent an MRI on his back on Tuesday and it revealed no structural damage. Chase took off from practice Wednesday and was able to practice routes on Thursday and said he felt "OK and didn't have too much pain." According to Chase, his mentality is that he is going to play until told otherwise.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals rule out Sam Hubbard, Tee Higgins for Sunday's game vs. Texans