The New England Patriots will open their 2024 regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and there are some questions about players on both sides heading into the game. While they will at least be partially answered when inactives are announced 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, there are a few early indications already.

As of game day morning, there are reports about three players — one Patriots running back and two Bengals wide receivers.

Patriots RB Antonio Gibson

The Patriots expect Gibson to play a prominent role within their offense as a complementary piece alongside Rhamondre Stevenson. However, he entered the game listed as questionable to play due to a hip injury.

Despite the designation, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports that Gibson intends to play versus the Bengals. The team hinted at this on Saturday already, when it decided not to elevate fellow running back Kevin Harris from its practice squad; instead, offensive lineman Michael Jordan and defensive tackle Trysten Hill were temporarily moved up for the game.

Gibson, who joined the Patriots in free agency this offseason, is expected to serve as New England’s primary receiving back and a change-of-pace option in the backfield. In addition, JaMycal Hasty also is on the roster as a rotational backup.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase

The Bengals added star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to their injury report on Saturday, listing him as questionable because of an illness. That illness, however, may not keep the Pro Bowler out of Sunday’s game: according to a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he already felt better later in the day and is part of Cincinnati’s game plan against New England.

Questions still remain both about his availability and his workload if able to play. Chase, after all, remains in an unresolved contract dispute with the Bengals: looking for a new deal, he only returned to practice on Wednesday as a limited participant.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Receiving the “doubtful” tag on Friday, chances already were slim that Cincinnati’s other starting wide receiver would be made active for Week 1. And per Bengals beat writer Mike Petraglia, that will indeed not happen.

Appearing on 98.5 The Sports Hub on Sunday morning, Petraglia said that he would not expect the 25-year-old to play “at all” versus New England. Higgins started the week as a full participant, but a hamstring injury forced him to decrease his participation with each passing day: he was limited on Thursday before being sidelined Friday.