Tag: Higgins

Injured Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) walks the field before the first quarter of the NFL Week 2 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. The Bengals led 16-10 at halftime.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) set to make season debut

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins said he is 100 percent recovered from his hamstring injury and will make his season debut in Monday night’s home game against the Washington Commanders.

Higgins missed the first two games of the season due to the injury. He was a limited practice participant the past two days.

“I feel great,” Higgins said after Friday’s practice. “Obviously, unfortunate with the injury, sat out the first two weeks but finally ready to get my feet wet this season and ready to go.”

Higgins, a fifth-year pro, sustained the injury on Sept. 5 in practice.

The 25-year-old has topped 1,000 yards in two of his four seasons with Cincinnati. He is making $21.8 million on the franchise tag this season after he and the Bengals could not agree on a long-term extension.

Overall, Higgins has 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 scores in four NFL seasons.

Another solid campaign could see the price for Higgins’ services increase.

“I don’t really look at it that way,” Higgins said when asked about the situation. “I’ve just got to go out and be me and play my game, and the rest will take care of itself.”

Fellow wideout Ja’Marr Chase is happy to see that Higgins is about to return in the wake of the team’s 0-2 start.

“I feel like we need a win, just under our belt just so we can feel relaxed, and just get a win at home,” Chase said. “I think that’s another good thing that’ll be good for us. And having a full offense back as one whole unit, finally, I think that would be good for us.”

Chase had just four receptions for 35 yards in last Sunday’s last-second 26-25 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 10 catches for 97 yards and no touchdowns this season.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals Tee Higgins who was inactive for the Bengals home opener watches the scoreboard as his team is defeated by the New England Patriots 16-10 at Paycor Stadium Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) doubtful for Chiefs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins will likely miss a second straight game Sunday when his club visits the two-time defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Higgins (hamstring) missed the season-opening loss to the New England Patriots and didn’t practice at all this week. On Friday, the club listed Higgins as doubtful for the game against Kansas City.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor didn’t sound overly optimistic while updating Higgins’ injury on Friday.

“We’ll see,” Taylor said. “I’m not going to rule him out yet for Sunday. We’ll see where he’s at.”

Higgins injured the hamstring during a practice on Sept. 5.

In the offseason, Cincinnati placed the $21.8 million franchise tag on Higgins to prevent him from seeking offers from other teams.

Last season, Higgins caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts). He has 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 scores in four NFL seasons.

Cincinnati ruled out defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (thumb) for Sunday. In addition to Higgins, tight end Tanner Hudson (knee) and offensive tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral) are doubtful.

Kansas City wideout Marquise Brown (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Friday and will undergo surgery. No other Chiefs are in danger of missing the game.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) walk to the practice field, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Cincinnati.

Daily drama continues with Bengals’ star receivers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Just when the Cincinnati Bengals thought their wide receiver room was fully intact again, Tee Higgins pulled up lame.

Higgins, playing this season on the franchise tag, “tweaked his hamstring” on Thursday and did not practice on Friday, head coach Zac Taylor said.

Meanwhile wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who finally returned to practice this week, called himself a “game-time decision” ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the visiting New England Patriots.

Chase told reporters Friday he would consider playing without a new contract, but that he would likely be “limited” if he takes the field.

“I’m confident it’ll get done,” Chase said of his ongoing negotiations for an extension. “I know my worth. They know my worth.”

A reporter asked Chase about reports he is seeking one penny more than Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension.

“If I want to beat Justin Jefferson, I’m going to beat the (expletive) out of Justin,” Chase answered. “Not by a penny, brother.”

The Bengals had both of their star wideouts on the field together for just two practices — Wednesday and Thursday — because of Chase’s contract dispute.

While Higgins signed his franchise tender in July and participated in training camp, Chase isn’t pleased to be playing the 2024 season at a base salary just over $1 million.

Higgins said “I feel great” when asked about his hamstring injury and appearance on the injury report on Thursday. He went as far as to rate his condition as “the best I’ve felt heading into Week 1” in his career.

Hamstring injuries are not new and Higgins has been listed on the injury report at least one game at some point every season because of it.

Taylor was not ready to declare Higgins available for Sunday’s game.

“We’ll see,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the other injury development since Wednesday was defensive tackle Kris Jenkins undergoing thumb surgery. Jenkins is out but will be reevaluated before Week 2.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a touchdown pass as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans (21) defends in the fourth quarter of a Week 15 NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-24 in overtime.

Reports: Bengals WR Tee Higgins requests trade

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade from the team after being hit with the franchise tag, according to multiple reports.

Higgins was set to hit free agency when the Bengals used the tag to retain him, guaranteeing a $21.816 million salary for the 2024 season.

Per reports, Higgins grew frustrated by the lack of effort to sign him to a contract extension.

Higgins, 25, completed a four-year, $8.68 million rookie deal he signed as a 2020 second-round pick.

“Tee has done an outstanding job for us since we drafted him,” coach Zac Taylor said in a statement when Higgins was tagged. “I’m glad that he’ll continue to be a big part of our offense and our team.”

The sides have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal.

Higgins caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts) in 2023 after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2021-22. He has 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 TDs in 58 games (53 starts).

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) stretches for the end zone in the fourth quarter during a Week 7 NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Nfl Atlanta Falcons At Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals brass: WR Tee Higgins not on trade block

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Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin and coach Zac Taylor both shot down rumors that receiver Tee Higgins is on the trading block.

Speculation has been rampant about the receiver entering his fourth season, and Tobin said Tuesday at the NFL combine that the chatter is ill-advised.

“If they want a receiver, go find your own,” Tobin said. “In my opinion, Tee Higgins is a good piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. The trade stuff is a little ridiculous right now.”

Taylor also said there is no truth to the rumors and indicated he is counting on having the wideout who has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.

“That’s why whenever you see the rumors floating around there, it’s nonsense,” Taylor said. “At the end of the day, I do get to call the plays and it’s fun having (playmakers) out there. You don’t really want to give that up.”

Higgins has caught 215 passes for 3,028 yards and 19 touchdowns in 46 games (42 starts) since being a second-round pick (33rd overall) in the 2020 draft.

Part of the speculation has been fueled by the belief of outsiders that the Bengals will have a hard time signing quarterback Joe Burrow and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins to wealthy long-term extensions.

The situation also has led to rumors that running back Joe Mixon might become a casualty.

Mixon has two seasons left on a four-year, $48 million deal. He has a salary cap hit of $12.76 million in 2023.

Tobin said he was unsure what the future holds for Mixon and the Bengals.

“Joe has been a vital part of our team,” Tobin said. “He’s been a successful part of our team. Again, I’m not gonna predict the offseason because I don’t have the answers.”

Mixon, 26, has topped 1,000 rushing yards three times in his six NFL seasons but dropped to 814 last season to go with seven rushing scores. He has rushed for 5,378 yards and 40 touchdowns and caught 231 passes for 1,763 yards and 10 scores in 80 games (71 starts).

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) makes the tackle on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) during the first quarterat Paycor Stadium. The play led to Hamlin collapsing on the field, and being taken to the hospital in critical condition. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals WR Tee Higgins craves chance to see Damar Hamlin

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Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins is hopeful of getting an opportunity to greet Damar Hamlin this weekend while the Bengals are in Buffalo to face the Bills in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs.

Hamlin tackled Higgins in the Jan. 2 game between the teams in Cincinnati and then the Buffalo safety went into cardiac arrest. He received CPR on the field, was rushed to a hospital and has since made a swift recovery.

That contest was postponed and now the two teams will share the field Sunday, just 20 days after the emergency situation.

Hamlin has been around the Bills’ facility in Orchard Park, N.Y., this week but it isn’t yet known if he will attend Sunday’s playoff game. He watched last weekend’s Bills-Miami Dolphins wild-card game from home.

“I’m pretty sure we’re just going to chop it up, laughs and giggles and just be happy to see him,” Higgins said of potentially getting to meet up with Hamlin.

While Hamlin was hospitalized in Cincinnati, Higgins was in communication with Hamlin’s family but he said he didn’t speak to Hamlin.

“Just letting his family do what he needs to do with all his loved ones and stuff like that,” Higgins said. “Hopefully I get to see him on the field Sunday and speak to him.”

Higgins does have a relationship with Hamlin. Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd holds an annual summer camp in the Pittsburgh area and Higgins attended as did Hamlin, who is also from the Pittsburgh area.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) completes a deep pass down the sideline during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, at the Paycor Stadium practice fields in Cincinnati. Los Angeles Rams At Cincinnati Bengals Joint Practice Aug 24 0057

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (concussion) won’t return vs. Steelers

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Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins will miss the rest of Sunday’s contest with a concussion after taking a hit to the head during the second quarter of the matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Higgins caught a short pass midway through the quarter and was tackled by Pittsburgh’s Devin Bush and Terrell Edmunds. The hit by Bush moved Higgins toward Edmunds, whose helmet smacked into Higgins.

Higgins walked gingerly off the field and was taken to the locker room for evaluation. He was ruled out just before the start of the second half.

Higgins, a third-year pro, had two receptions for 27 yards before exiting. He caught 141 passes for 1,999 yards and 12 touchdowns in 30 games over his first two NFL seasons.

–Field Level Media

Jan 22, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) celebrates after the Bengals defeated the Tennessee Titans 19-16 during the AFC Divisional playoff football game at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Notebook: Bengals’ C.J. Uzomah, Jackson Carman on track for Super Bowl

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Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters Friday that tight end C.J. Uzomah was on track to play in Super Bowl LVI Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif.

The Bengals listed Uzomah as questionable for the contest. The team said he was a full practice participant.

Uzomah, in his seventh year with the Bengals, suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee during the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs and did not return to practice until Thursday, when he was a limited participant.

Uzomah had said throughout the week that he would not miss the biggest game of his life. The 29-year-old had 49 catches for 493 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season — all career highs — and added 13 receptions for 135 yards and a score in three playoff games.

Taylor also revealed a bit more about injured rookie Jackson Carman, a second-round pick who made six starts at right guard in the regular season. Carman was limited in Wednesday’s practice due to a back injury but was at full participation the past two days.

The coach told reporters that they had seen enough from Carman to believe he could start at right guard. But when pressed if that was the team’s plan, he replied, “We’ll see.”

Hakeem Adeniji would be in line to start if Carman does not.

–Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Los Angeles’ Cooper Kupp each earned some hardware at Thursday night’s NFL Honors awards show. Chase won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year title, while Kupp was named Offensive Player of the Year.

Chase ranked fourth in the NFL in receiving yards and third in touchdowns receptions, but his terrific season did not stop him from admiring Kupp and his receiving triple crown (leading the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns).

“Cooper Kupp’s game is like magic, man,” Chase said. “The way he plays, the way he gets in and out of his cuts, the way he sets defenders up, it’s just crazy. … He’s at a level that I want to make.”

Chase also joked that it will be great to finally watch star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. in person. The three-time Pro Bowler has been considered one of the league’s most talented receivers since he entered the league in 2014 and is now on his third team. Both Chase and Beckham are LSU products.

“I hope (Bengals cornerback) Eli Apple does his thing of course,” Chase added, referring to his teammate assigned to cover Beckham. “But it’s gonna be a lot of fun watching this game.”

–The Bengals’ most famous No. 85 never played in a Super Bowl, but wide receiver Tee Higgins will carry Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s jersey number onto the field on Sunday.

Higgins wanted there to be a 5 in his NFL jersey number after wearing the single digit in college. But before the NFL changed its rules governing jersey numbers in 2021, that limited Higgins to 15 or 85. When the Bengals drafted Higgins in 2020, No. 15 was taken.

“I hit up Chad on Twitter,” Higgins explained Friday. “I was like, ‘With all due respect, I would like to ask you if it would be cool if I wear 85.’ He was just like, ‘Yeah, man, go ahead! It would be an honor for you to wear it.’ I picked the number and the rest is history.”

But Higgins may still change his jersey to No. 5 after this year, now that the league is allowing receivers and tight ends to wear any number from 1-49 and 80-89.

–The mayors of Cincinnati and Los Angeles announced their Super Bowl bet Friday morning. In addition to a traditional component, in which the mayor of the losing city will wear the winning team’s jersey during a press conference, the winning city and team also will make a donation to a children’s hospital in the losing city.

In a TV interview, Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval was asked if the city’s decision to give its schoolchildren Monday off was contingent on the Bengals winning the game.

“Your question is irrelevant, because we’re going to win,” Pureval said, tongue in cheek. “We will have the school day off. We’re planning a Super Bowl parade already.”

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) runs with a catch during training camp practice at the Paul Brown Stadium practice facility in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, July 29, 2021.Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (shoulder) ruled out vs. Jaguars

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury, the team announced Wednesday.

Higgins and safety Jessie Bates III (neck) have been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3).

Higgins, 22, totaled 10 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the first two contests before sitting out Cincinnati’s 24-10 victory at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Bates, 24, has recorded 22 tackles in three starts this season for the Bengals (2-1).

Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) and guard Xavier Su’a-Filo (knee) are listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game.

–Field Level Media