Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase didn’t mince words when asked what Tee Higgins’ return will mean to him. “Less double teams,” Chase said. The Bengals will finally have both of their best pieces on the field at the same time, as coach Zac Taylor told reporters that Higgins will make his season debut Monday night against the Commanders after missing the first two games of the 2024 season with a hamstring injury.
Higgins said he was back and feeling “100%” for Monday night. “Get through the f—ing week, man” said a smiling Higgins when asked about his mindset during practice this week. “Just let me get through the week, make it to Monday, and go from there.”
His return should be a major boost for the Bengals, who are off to their third straight 0-2 start. A second-round pick in 2020, Higgins has established himself as arguably the NFLs best No. 2 wideout. Higgins played exceptionally well whenever Chase was out of the lineup due to injury.
Higgins put up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022 while helping the Bengals capture one AFC title and two AFC North division crowns during that span. Injuries, however, limited Higgins to just 12 games in 2023. Despite the injuries, Higgins continued to have several notable performances which included his two-touchdown effort in Cincinnati’s Week 15 win over Minnesota. Higgins caught five passes for 140 yards and a score during the following week’s loss to Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati’s offense scored just 10 points in an upset loss to New England in Week 1. The offense played much better last Sunday in Kansas City, scoring 25 points and putting up over 100 more passing yards than the Chiefs. But a lackluster rushing attack contributed to the Bengals converting on just 4 of their 13 third-down situations in what ended up being a one-point loss to the two-time defense. Super Bowl champions
The Bengals hope to right the ship Monday night against a commanding team that has split its first two games of the season. Having Higgins in the lineup helps their cause.
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