Rashard

Higgins

Higgins has fallen to No. 5 on the depth chart, not appearing in a game since Week 6. All three players are healthy scratches for the Panthers.

No surprises here. Higgins has been a healthy scratch multiple times this year and doesn’t have a path to playing time unless someone ahead of him gets hurt.

Even with Shenault out injured, Higgins is a healthy scratch this week. It was Terrace Marshall last week.

Higgins has demonstrated good chemistry with Baker Mayfield, who played with Higgins in Cleveland two years ago. Higgins, per Carolina beat writers, has shown big-play ability throughout training camp -- usually the domain of the speedy Anderson. Higgins, who had two 500-yard seasons with the Browns, is a name to monitor in deeper fantasy formats. He has five receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown in two preseason outings this summer. D.J. Moore remains the only reliable wideout in the Panthers offense.

Higgins posted his best season with the Browns in 2020, totaling 599 yards and four scores. With Donovan Peoples-Jones taking on a larger role in the offense in 2021, Higgins was relegated to WR3/4 duties. He posted a 24/275/1 receiving line during his final year in Cleveland. Higgins joins a Carolina roster that is currently lacking a WR3. Second-round pick Terrace Marshall was expected to be that player but he failed to carve out a role in his rookie season. Higgins will compete with him and others for a rotational gig behind Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore.

The Browns will get Peoples-Jones back, but will be without Anthony Schwartz (concussion) while Rashard Higgins is a healthy scratch. That leaves Ja’Marcus Bradley and JoJo Natson as the sub-package options behind Jarvis Landry and Peoples-Jones, though rookie RB Demetric Felton could also mix in. The rest of Cleveland’s inactives are FB Andy Janovich, DB Richard LeCounte III, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, OT James Hudson III and DT Tommy Togiai.

Schwartz being ruled out locks Rashard Higgins into at least the No. 3 role, and he could be even higher on the depth chart if Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) is forced to sit. That said, the Browns will likely try to pass as little as possible against a Lions team starting Tim Boyle at quarterback.

People-Jones suffered an injury during pre-game warmups, which will now cost him at least two games. Peoples-Jones’ deep threat role will likely be filled by rookie Anthony Schwartz, who ran a route on 47% of dropbacks in Week 7. Rashard Higgins is also likely to see additional playing time.

Higgins caught Baker Mayfield’s first touchdown with a seven-yarder in the first half. The veteran wideout entered Week 5 with eight catches on the season. He’s not a strong fantasy option ahead of a Week 6 date with the Cardinals.

On a day Baker Mayfield went just 15-of-33 for 155 empty yards, Higgins tied Odell Beckham for the team lead with seven targets and led the Browns in catches and yards. Higgins entered Week 4 with four catches for 51 yards. He’s not a fantasy option ahead of a Week 5 date with the Chargers.