Tag: Tee Higgins

Bengals WR Tee Higgins added to Pro Bowl roster

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has replaced the Baltimore Ravens’ Zay Flowers on the AFC roster for the Pro Bowl Games.

Higgins, who was a second alternate, collects his first Pro Bowl honor after wide receiver Flowers, selected for two consecutive seasons, opted out.

In their fourth year, the Pro Bowl Games — which include week-long skills competitions and a flag football game — will be played in San Francisco ahead of Super Bowl LX. Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Steve Young will serve as coaches for the flag football game, slated for Feb. 3.

Higgins, who turned 27 on Jan. 18, caught 59 passes for 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 15 games (14 starts). The 11 TD receptions led all AFC players and tied for second in the league behind the Los Angeles Rams’ Davante Adams (14).

Teammate Ja’Marr Chase also was selected, giving Cincinnati two receivers in the same Pro Bowl for the first time since 2007, when Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmanzadeh were selected.

Higgins has 389 career receptions for 5,441 yards and 45 touchdowns in 85 regular-season games (76 starts) since 2020. He also has 31 catches for 457 yards and three TDs in seven playoff games (six starts).

Cincinnati selected Higgins in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson.

–Field Level Media

Bengals WR Tee Higgins to play vs. Dolphins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will return from his second concussion of the season to play in Sunday’s game against the host Miami Dolphins.

Higgins cleared concussion protocol and was a full participant in practice on Friday. He had been listed as questionable to play against Miami before he was labeled as active.

ESPN reported that the Bengals (4-10) were interested in seeing how Higgins felt on Sunday morning before formally announcing his availability to play against the Dolphins (6-8).

Higgins, 26, sustained his initial concussion on Nov. 23 after smacking his head on the turf during Cincinnati’s 26-20 loss to the New England Patriots. He sat out the Bengals’ next game four days later before returning on Dec. 7, when he had six catches for a team-high 92 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati’s 39-34 setback to the Buffalo Bills.

He reeled in his second touchdown grab on a snowy afternoon on a 25-yard lob from Joe Burrow with 2:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Higgins has totaled 46 catches for 667 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns in 12 appearances this season.

While Higgins is active, the Bengals listed the following players as inactive for Sunday’s game: Jake Browning (emergency third quarterback), wide receiver Charlie Jones, cornerback Bralyn Lux, safety PJ Jules, defensive end Joseph Ossai, tight end Noah Fant and defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson.

As for the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa will serve as the team’s emergency third quarterback while rookie Quinn Ewers makes his first career NFL start.

Miami also listed wide receivers Tahj Washington and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, offensive tackle Kendall Lamm and defensive tackle Matthew Butler as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Bengals face more uncertainty with WR Tee Higgins, DE Trey Hendrickson

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins returned to the concussion protocol after his team’s dramatic Sunday loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Physicians evaluated Higgins for a concussion at multiple points of Cincinnati’s 39-34 defeat, and though he was cleared to continue to play, he reported symptoms following the game and was placed in the protocol, Bengals coach Zac Taylor confirmed at his Monday press conference.

Taylor also said defensive end Trey Hendrickson is headed to a specialist for his abdominal strain and won’t play Sunday against the Ravens. ESPN reported Hendrickson is expected to opt for hernia surgery and miss at least six weeks, ending his season.

Higgins missed the Bengals’ previous game, a 32-14 win at the Ravens on Nov. 27, due to a concussion sustained four days earlier when he smacked his head on the turf as Cincinnati fell to the New England Patriots.

He resumed practicing and cleared the protocol in the days leading up to the Bills game.

Higgins caught six passes for a team-high 92 yards against Buffalo. He reeled in his second touchdown grab on a snowy afternoon on a 25-yard lob from Joe Burrow with 2:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.

That catch accounted for the game’s final score as the Bengals failed to convert a two-point pass attempt and never got the ball back. Buffalo tallied the next 21 points in a 4 1/2-minute span to wipe out a Cincinnati lead.

The Bengals fell to 4-9, four wins below the AFC playoff cutline.

Higgins has totaled 46 catches for 667 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 appearances. He, Burrow and star wideout Ja’Marr Chase have played just three games together this season.

Burrow sat out nine games with a turf toe injury, returning in time to face the Ravens. Chase served a suspension against the Patriots for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

Hendrickson turned 31 last week. He has played in seven games after a holdout over his contract kept him off the field with the Bengals during the offseason and training camp.

The dispute was temporarily resolved when the Bengals adjusted his 2025 compensation, but he is still scheduled for free agency in March.

He had 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 17.5 more in 2024 but was limited to just four sacks this season, giving Hendrickson 81 sacks in 117 career games.

–Field Level Media

Bengals WR Tee Higgins clears protocol, set to face Bills

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins cleared concussion protocol and will be available to play on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday.

Higgins was injured when his head landed hard on the turf in Cincinnati’s 26-20 loss to the visiting New England Patriots on Nov. 23. He was motionless for several minutes before eventually being carted to the locker room with 4:45 left in the game.

“It’s been a minute, man,” Higgins said of his return to the field. “I’m definitely looking forward to (playing on Sunday). It’s going to be great.”

Higgins was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday before turning in a full level of participation in Thursday’s and Friday’s sessions.

“It was just getting through concussion protocol, seeing how I’m feeling with working out, running routes and things like that,” Higgins said. “So it’s basically all just on me, see how I’m feeling and then passing those tests as well.”

The Bengals (4-8) reside two games in back of the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) and Baltimore Ravens (6-6) in the AFC North. The latter two teams play each other in Baltimore on Sunday.

Higgins, 26, has 40 catches for 575 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games (all starts) this season.

Cincinnati selected Higgins in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has 370 receptions for 5,170 yards and 41 TDs in 81 career games (73 starts).

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins (5) and Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrate a touchdown during a game on Nov. 17, 2024.

Reports: Bengals signing WRs Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins to 4-year deals

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The Cincinnati Bengals are keeping star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins after the pair agreed to contract extensions, according to multiple reports on Sunday night.

The receivers told Fox Sports, with figures confirmed by an NFL Network report, details of the new pacts. Chase, who was entering the final year of his most recent deal, agreed to a four-year, $161 million contract that includes $112 million guaranteed.

The annual average salary of $40.25 million sets the league record for most lucrative for a non-quarterback.

Higgins has agreed to a four-year, $115 million contract with the first two years guaranteed. The Bengals had used the franchise tag on Higgins for the second consecutive year to block him from reaching unrestricted free agency for the 2025 season. The one-year salary for franchise-tagged wide receivers is $26.2 million.

The Bengals and Higgins had a deadline of July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. Higgins said he wanted to stay with Cincinnati. His trade value set under the terms of the CBA on franchise tags would be two first-round draft picks, if the team could have found a suitor for their No. 2 receiver.

The franchise was trying to figure out how to compensate two players at the same position as well as the entire team under the salary cap. The Bengals negotiated last preseason with Chase, who held out part of training camp before deciding to play without a new deal.

Chase, who turned 25 on March 1, led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown receptions (17) as well as yards per game (100.5) in 17 games (16 starts).

The Bengals selected Chase with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft out of LSU, where he was a teammate of his quarterback in Cincinnati, two-time Pro Bowl selection Joe Burrow.

For his career, Chase has 395 catches for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns in 62 regular-season games (61 starts). He also has 45 receptions for 588 yards and three TDs in seven playoff games (all starts).

He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in all four seasons, and was first-team All-Pro in 2024. Chase was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games (nine starts) in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games (62 starts) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft.

The Bengals used the No. 1 pick in the same draft to select Burrow, who has said he would be disappointed if Higgins doesn’t return.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Reports: Teams call Bengals to talk Tee Higgins trade

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Multiple teams inquired about the availability of franchise-tagged Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, but Cincinnati’s appetite for parting with the No. 2 receiver remains unclear, according to reports.

Given the franchise tag for the second year in a row, Higgins would lock in a one-year salary worth $26.2 million if he signs the tender offer from the Bengals.

Cincinnati’s public position has been Higgins is not unavailable. The Bengals also have a number of other contract situations to address.

The Bengals and Higgins have until July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. The trade value set under the terms of the CBA on franchise tags would be two first-round draft picks.

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said last month at the NFL Scouting Combine the team’s preference is to keep Higgins.

But negotiations could be tricky with defensive end Trey Hendrickson and All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in line for new contracts.

Chase is entering the final year of his contract and not expected to play next season without a new deal in place. The strategy was employed by Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk last summer. In each case, the team balked to end the standoff and both players emerged with near top-of-market long-term deals.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games (nine starts) in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games (62 starts) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Bengals used the No. 1 pick in the same draft to select quarterback Joe Burrow, who said he would be disappointed if Higgins doesn’t return.

Hendrickson, 30, led the NFL in sacks with 17.5 in 2024, the same number he reached in 2023 after agreeing to a contract extension through 2025.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Bengals tag WR Tee Higgins again

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Wide receiver Tee Higgins was tagged on Monday by the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to use the franchise tag.

Higgins, who played last season on a one-year franchise tender, again was blocked from reaching unrestricted free agency when the Bengals used the franchise marker to keep him in Cincinnati for the 2025 season. The one-year salary for franchise-tagged wide receivers is $26.2 million.

The Bengals and Higgins have until July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. But there are other considerations that could prevent the two sides from reaching a deal before next season.

All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is entering the final year of his contract and not expected to play next season without a new deal in place. The strategy was employed by Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk last summer. In each case, the team balked to end the standoff and both players emerged with near top-of-market long-term deals.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Bengals used the No. 1 pick in the same draft to select quarterback Joe Burrow, who said he would be disappointed if Higgins doesn’t return.

“It’s not even just his production, it’s his presence. It’s how he comes to work every day,” Burrow said in January. “He plays such a big part in what we do here and has for five years now that I don’t think you can quite put a value on that, I would say.”

In December, Higgins hired Rocky Arceneaux and Caitlin Aoki of Alliance Sports Management — they also represent Chase — as his new agents. He said at the end of the regular season he wasn’t looking to be a No. 1 option on another team and hoped to stay with the Bengals.

Lamb has the highest salary cap number in 2025 other than Jets wide receiver Davante Adams, who is expected to be traded or released in the next 10 days.

Lamb has a cap figure of $35.4 million.

Chase carries a cap figure of $21.8 million on the fifth-year option in his rookie contract.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Reports: Bengals seek long-term deal for WR Tee Higgins, but could tag him

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to work out a long-term contract with wide receiver Tee Higgins but are willing to use a franchise tag again for the 2025 season, according to multiple media reports on Monday.

The window to place a franchise tag is Feb. 18 to March 4. Higgins, 26, played out his one year as the team’s designated franchise player, which paid him $21.8 million in salary. The franchise tag in 2025 would guarantee $26.18 million — the average of the top five salaries for wide receivers last season.

Reports on Monday said that the Bengals, if necessary, will buy more time to negotiate a contract extension by placing a non-exclusive tag on Higgins. He will be able to negotiate with other clubs, but a team that signs him is required to compensate Cincinnati with two first-round draft picks, a steep price.

Once the Bengals tag Higgins, they would have until July 15 to work out a contract extension or the one-year deal becomes permanent.

Cincinnati also is weighing giving an extension to star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, 24, to keep the tandem together, as well as considering the future of defensive end Trey Hendrickson, 30, the NFL sack leader (17.5) last season. Both Chase and Hendrickson are four-time Pro Bowl selections and were first-team All-Pro in 2024.

The Bengals selected Higgins in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He started nine of the 12 games he played last season and totaled 73 receptions for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns. He also played only 12 games (11 starts) in 2023 because of hamstring issues. For his career, Higgins has 330 receptions for 4,595 yards and 34 TDs in 70 games (62 starts).

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) is stopped short of the end zone by Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) on a carry in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. The Bengals took a 30-24 win in overtime to remain in the post season chase.

Bengals RB Chase Brown, WR Tee Higgins questionable vs. Steelers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown and wide receiver Tee Higgins are listed as questionable to play on Saturday night in the season finale against the host Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brown has failed to participate in practice both days this week while nursing an ankle injury. Higgins is dealing with ankle and knee ailments.

The Bengals (8-8) need to beat the Steelers (10-6) and have the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins lose their respective games in order to qualify the playoffs.

Brown sustained a right ankle injury late in the fourth quarter in Cincinnati’s 30-24 overtime victory over the visiting Broncos last Saturday. He ran 5 yards but hurt himself when he intentionally slid at the 1-yard line in an attempt to keep the clock moving. After his injury stopped the clock, Joe Burrow ran it in for a score on the next play with 1:29 left in the game.

The Broncos then scored the tying touchdown with eight seconds to play, and Khalil Herbert took Brown’s place in the backfield.

Brown, 24, has rushed for 990 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has 54 receptions for 360 yards and four scores.

On Thursday, the Bengals signed running back Kendall Milton off the practice squad. He will join Herbert and Trayveon Williams on the roster behind Brown.

Higgins, 25, is coming off his best performance of the season. He reeled in 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns against the Broncos, including the winning 3-yard scoring strike in overtime.

Higgins has 69 catches for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

Cincinnati defensive end Sam Hubbard has been ruled out with a knee injury, while tight end Drew Sample (groin), wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin), cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle) and offensive tackle Amarius Mims (ankle, hand) are deemed questionable for Saturday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. The Steelers won 44-38.

Bengals’ Joe Burrow: ‘Have I told you I bought a Batmobile?’

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is going to need a superhero-like performance in order to change the narrative of his team’s season.

Perhaps that’s the reasoning for Burrow’s latest purchase.

Burrow shelled out $2.99 million to buy one of 10 officially licensed and fully functional Batmobiles that are sold by Wayne Enterprises Experiences. The Pro Bowl quarterback revealed the news in a conversation with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins during the premiere episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North” on Tuesday.

“Have I told you I bought a Batmobile?” Burrow told the duo during a practice last week. “I don’t get it for like a year, but I bought one.”

Burrow, however, admitted that he likely will be on the hook for additional purchases with the car. Quite naturally, he’ll also need the proper attire.

“I think I gotta go all-in and go for like the expensive batsuit,” Burrow told Chase.

Burrow, who turns 28 next week, leads the NFL in touchdowns (30) and passing yards (3,337).

The Bengals (4-8), however, have lost three in a row and are on the brink of missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

–Field Level Media