The latest Ty Higgins injury news is not what the Bengals need

Despite entering the 2024 NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations, Cincinnati Bengals got off to a rough start, losing each of their first three games. They have responded well enough to win three of their last four games to improve to 3-4 heading into a Week 8 matchup against Philadelphia Eagleswhile maintaining its season. Their only loss during that span was a 41-38 loss to a Baltimore Ravens team that now looks undefeated.

A big reason why Cincinnati has been playing better lately is Tee Higgins. Ja’Marr Chase is making most of the headlines, and rightfully so, but Higgins has averaged 75.5 yards in Cincinnati’s last four games, catching three touchdowns in that span. Higgins started the first two games of the season and the Bengals lost both, averaging less than 20 points per game in those losses. It’s no secret that their offense is much better with him.

That being said, the news that Higgins injured his right quad in practice and could miss Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, is hard for Bengals fans to take.

There’s still a chance Higgins will play, as Graziano notes the Bengals won’t make a decision until kickoff, but the fact that there’s pessimism about his availability is unfortunate.

The Eagles certainly haven’t set the world on fire this season against non-New York Giants opponentsbut they are so strong that a Higgins injury could affect the outcome of the game, especially considering how bad this Bengals offense looked without Higgins earlier in the season.

The Bengals did a good job getting back on the field playoff discussionbut with the team still under .500 and playing in a very tough AFC North division, their path to the playoffs is not easy. They will have to play very well to make the playoffs.

A return to the .500 mark would be huge for Cincinnati’s postseason hopes, but how likely is that if Higgins can’t play or is severely limited? Also, will this quad injury linger in the next few weeks?

With a slow start, the Bengals can’t afford to lose many more if they want to make the playoffs. Any injury to Higgins makes their path to the playoffs that much more difficult, something they cannot afford.