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Is Tee Higgins playing this week? Latest injury news, Bengals WR update for Week 11 vs. Chargers

Posted on by Josh L
Is Tee Higgins playing this week? Latest injury news, Bengals WR update for Week 11 vs. Chargers

At 4-6, the Bengals are in a tough spot as Cincinnati tries to get back into the AFC playoffs. This weekend’s game against the 6-3 Chargers is crucial, as a Cincinnati win could help cut into Los Angeles’ wild-card lead.

Leading up to the game, the Bengals’ offense was in shambles, highlighted by a quad injury to wide receiver Tee Higgins. The veteran tight end has missed the last three games as he recovers from an injury suffered during practice before the Week 8 game against the Eagles.

The Bengals never placed Higgins on injured reserve, which was a sign that he would be back within four weeks.

Here’s what you need to know about Higgins’ status this week.

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Is Tee Higgins playing this week?

After a limited practice week, Higgins is expected to return to the lineup for the first time since Week 7 this Sunday.

Head coach Zach Taylor made the announcement before Bengals practice on Friday.

Higgins last played in the Bengals’ Week 7 win over the Browns, when he had four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Since then, the veteran wide receiver has missed three games in which the Bengals went 1-2 without him.

Higgins only played in five games on the season as he dealt with several injuries. Even when he was in the lineup, he didn’t break out. However, for the 4-6 Bengals to make the playoffs, they will need to return to Higgins’ previous form.

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Bengals WR depth chart

rank Name
No. 1 Ja’Marr Chase
No. 2 Tee Higgins
No. 3 Andriy Iosivas
No. 4 Jermaine Burton
No. 5 Trent Irwin
No. 6 Charlie Jones

Chase is atop the depth chart. He has 66 catches for 981 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, all of which lead the league. With Higgins back, he should reclaim the second spot on the depth chart. His 29 catches for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns are second on the team among wide receivers.

Josivas and Burton will drop one spot on the depth chart, but Josvias should still see time in three offensive sets at wide receiver. Josivas currently has 228 yards and four touchdowns on the season, while Burton has just three catches for 99 yards.

Irvin and Jones offer depth, but Jones also sees time on special teams for Cincinnati.

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Fantasy by Tee Higgins

Higgins’ return should mean he returns to his typical role in the offense as the second receiving option behind Ja’Marr Chase.

As Higgins has struggled with injuries this year, he hasn’t been able to get on the course, but he’s been trending in the right direction heading into this edition of the quads. That said, this year’s performance combined with injuries means Higgins isn’t a reliable starting option just yet.