Tee

Higgins

Higgins caught all three of quarterback Joe Burrow’s touchdown passes, the most important of which came on the team’s third overtime possession following a missed field goal by backup kicker Cade York. The walk off touchdown kept the Bengals in contention for the No. 7 seed in the AFC, with the team now needing to beat the Steelers in Week 18 and have the Chiefs handle the Broncos while likely resting their starters in a meaningless game. Higgins continues his bid for a contract extension while playing on the franchise tag yet again in 2024.

According to Fowler, Higgins “improved every day in practice” before drawing a questionable tag on Thursday’s final injury report. The Bengals need all hands on deck as they continue to fight for what little playoff hopes they have left. Higgins played through an ankle injury that he suffered late in last week’s win over the Browns, and would profile as a WR2 against the Broncos if he’s able to suit up.

Higgins was limited in practice throughout the week and will now carry a questionable status into a pivotal matchup against the Broncos. Higgins exited Week 16’s game with an apparent ankle injury but returned a few plays later and finished out the game. Assuming this is the same injury, we would expect him to be on the field Saturday, but his status will be one to monitor when teams announce inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.

Same old, same old. Higgins has been listed with the knee the last few weeks, but the ankle designation is new. We’re not expecting to see Higgins sit on Saturday against the Broncos with the playoffs on the line. Ultimately, this is likely just maintenance for the star wideout.

Higgins put the Bengals on the board in the first quarter when he hauled in a two-yard touchdown on their first drive. He hauled in a 21-yard reception just two plays before the score to help get the Bengals into scoring range. Higgins briefly left the game with what appeared to be a left ankle injury but returned on the following drive and looked to be fine. Higgins will be a solid WR2 against a stout Broncos defense in Week 17.

Ditto Joe Burrow. Higgins is being “managed” per Taylor, but he doesn’t have any concern about his workload in Week 16. Fire up Higgins in the WR2 as you normally would. Higgins seems likely to get this sort of treatment down the stretch. Higgins is also a potential shutdown candidate if the Bengals are officially eliminated from the playoffs.

What appeared to be a maintenance day for Higgins when he was listed as DNP now looks like something more concerning on Thursday. It’s worth noting that Higgins was not seen during the portion of practice that is open to the media, but we typically know what that means when it comes to a player’s practice status. Unless the team’s injury report suggests otherwise, then Higgins will be a DNP on back-to-back days, which puts his Week 16 availability squarely in doubt for the next 24 hours. He’ll be a name to watch on Friday’s injury report.

The Bengals listed him as limited with both “not injury related-rest” and the knee issue. Despite the contradiction, it’s just a maintenance day for Higgins. He will be good to go by the end of the week and remains in the WR2 ranks for his upcoming matchup with the Browns.

Higgins was the No. 2 option in the passing game after Ja’Marr Chase against the Titans. He took the deeper targets from Joe Burrow, scoring on a 38-yard deep throw towards the end of the first half. The 25-year-old continues to make contested catches and act as a reliable big target on the perimeter. There are many questions surrounding Higgins’ future with the Bengals, but for fantasy purposes, he is a high-end WR2 for Week 16 against the Browns.

Burrow said after the Bengals’ Monday night win over the Cowboys that he would do what it takes to retain Higgins, who is slated to be a free agent at the end of the 2024 season. Higgins is sure to draw top dollar from a handful of wideout-needy teams intrigued by his (often untapped) upside. Higgins had been on a heater headed into Week 14, with 377 yards and three touchdowns over his previous four games. He cooled off Monday night with just two grabs for 23 scoreless yards. That Burrow is apparently willing to adjust how own contract to keep Higgins in Cincinnati could mean Burrow, Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase get another few seasons together as the centerpiece of the Bengals’ high-octane offense.