NFL Player News

Higgins came up big multiple times for the Bengals in the second half after they were shut out 13-0 in the first half. He hauled in passes of 10 and 19 yards on the Bengals’ opening drive in the second half to help set up an eventual six-yard touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki, and hauled in a 13-yard touchdown of his own on the following drive. He would also make two catches of 40-plus yards, and came up six yards short of a second touchdown on an impressive 44-yard grab — his longest play of the day. Higgins has gone for 140-plus yards in two of his last three games and has topped 90 yards in four of six games this season. He profiles as a high-end WR2 in next week’s game against the Titans.

Higgins saw just four targets against the Dolphins after seeing 16 targets in Week 4. The adductor/neck injuries didn’t limit his playing time as much, seeing 45 snaps on the day, No. 2 among Bengals receivers. With Ja’Marr Chase back on the field, Higgins’ target volume decreased considerably and he totaled just 22 yards in a more run-favorable game script. Despite the dud, Higgins still belongs in the WR2 ranks and gets a mediocre Ravens defense in Week 7 after a Week 6 bye.

Higgins suffered an adductor injury in Week 4 against the Jaguars and was a full practice participant Friday after DNPs the two days before. Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) both declared active. Though NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports he will play mostly “meaningful plays”, Higgins is in the WR2 ranks while Chase is back in the WR1 ranks this week. The Bengals declared S Kyle Dugger, C Connor Lew, OT Myles Hinton, TE Jack Endries, WR Colbie Young, and DT Landon Robinson inactive for Week 5 against the Dolphins.

Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) will also play. Higgins is likely suiting up at less than full strength, but fantasy managers have to keep him in their lineups versus a Miami defense that is giving up explosive passing plays at the second-highest rate in the league this year. He will be a boom/bust WR2 for Week 5.

Higgins missed the first two practices of the week but practiced in full on Friday. We would consider him to be truly questionable given his one day of practice, meaning fantasy managers will want to check his official game status when the team announces inactives 90 minutes before kickoff. If he can’t go, Dohnte Meyers, who saw nine targets last week, could be on the fantasy radar as a WR4 in deeper leagues.

Chase still needs to clear concussion protocol if he hopes to suit up for Week 5’s game against the Dolphins. That said, he appears to be trending toward being able to play after logging back-to-back practices to close out the week. Tee Higgins (groin/neck), who was a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday was also seen sprinting and running routes on Friday, which suggests he could also be good to go for Sunday’s game. We will check back in with official game day statuses in the coming hours when the team releases its final injury report.

Higgins is sporting a T-shirt and shorts at today’s practice. We expect to see him listed as a non-participant at the end of the day. Consecutive absences put him on the wrong side of questionable for the Bengals’ Week 5 game against the Dolphins, though he still has at least a small chance of turning things around tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters before practice that Higgins would be listed as limited. Not only did he not practice, but the team listed him with a neck injury on top of his adductor issue. He went down with the adductor injury late in Cincy’s Week 4 loss to the Jags. It’s unclear when the neck issue cropped up. With multiple injuries holding him out of practice, Higgins looks unlikely to play in Week 5. With Ja’Marr Chase potentially out as well, Dohnte Meyers could be Joe Burrow No. 1 receiver this week. He should be added in all fantasy formats.

Higgins went down with the injury in the fourth quarter of Week 4. He tried to play through it but ultimately ended the game on the sidelines. A limited practice today is a good sign for his Week 5 availability. That will be doubly important with Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) also questionable for Sunday’s game. If Chase can’t clear protocol in time, Higgins will operate as the Bengals’ No. 1 receiver. Even at less than full strength, he would be a fringe WR1 play.

Taylor said that the team would see where he is at this week. It sounds like the practice reports will loom large for Higgins ahead of next Sunday’s game. Dohnte Meyers took on a big role in the absence of Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) Sunday and could have even more of a runway if both Higgins and Chase are sidelined this week.