Tee Higgins

Even Ja'Marr Chase is unsure of how the Cincinnati Bengals will manage to keep him and fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins for the long haul once their rookie contracts expire.

"It would be nice for Tee to be on the same side with me still as long as we can go," Chase said to USA Today's Cydney Henderson. "Somebody later down the line is going to have to do something for us to have this team stay together."

The two-time Pro Bowler added, "I really don't know," when questioned how Cincinnati can retain both of its star wideouts.

The Bengals may soon face a difficult decision regarding the core of their aerial attack.

Higgins is entering the final year of his contract in 2023. Chase is eligible for free agency in 2026 and could plausibly sign an extension before then. And quarterback Joe Burrow, who can hit the open market in 2025, is eligible to sign a new deal this offseason.

Re-signing all three is possible, but it doesn't seem feasible under the NFL's salary cap. Spotrac pegs Burrow's value alone at $44 million annually. Chase ($25.4 million) and Higgins ($20.1 million) both stand to earn significant raises on their next contracts as well.

Burrow will presumably be the Bengals' top priority, with Chase next in line. The 22-year-old has caught 168 passes for 2,501 yards and 22 touchdowns through his first two NFL seasons.

Higgins has been a consistent pass-catcher as well (215 receptions, 3,028 yards and 19 touchdowns in 46 games), but the financial realities of the NFL might make him the odd man out.

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins is looking forward to a relaxed conversation with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin if he sees him on the field Sunday:

"I'm pretty sure we just gonna chop it up, laugh and giggles," Higgins said. "Just gonna be happy to see him."

The Bills will host the Bengals in a divisional-round playoff game Sunday, about three weeks after the last game between the two teams was canceled. In the first quarter of the Jan. 2 matchup, Higgins collided with Hamlin, who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field.

Hamlin spent over a week in Cincinnati and Buffalo hospitals before being discharged on Jan. 11.

Hamlin was initially planning to attend the Bills' first-round game against the Miami Dolphins but instead chose to remain home as he continues his recovery.

The 24-year-old might be back this weekend after returning to the facility on a daily basis, as head coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday.

While there was obvious worry about Hamlin's physical health over the past few weeks, Higgins' mental health was also a concern because of his role in the play, especially after facing some criticism in the media.

He discussed the issue with reporters on Jan. 5:

"I'm in a good place right now," he added.

Higgins returned to the field for the Bengals' Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens, but only had one catch for seven yards in the win. He added four catches for 37 yards in last week's playoff game against the Ravens.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins spoke with reporters for the first time Thursday since Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during their Jan. 2 Monday Night Football game.

Hamlin and Higgins collided as the safety leaned in to make a tackle on the wideout, who streaked across the field and lunged forward for extra yardage after catching a pass from quarterback Joe Burrow in the first quarter. It was a seemingly routine play and not outside the rules of the game on either side.

Hamlin stood up after the tackle but then collapsed to the ground. Bills medical personnel rushed onto the field to attend to Hamlin, who was resuscitated on the field after suffering cardiac arrest. The game was suspended and later postponed and now reportedly has been canceled entirely, per Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press.

Hamlin was rushed to UC Medical Center, where he was sedated and listed in critical condition. He made signs of improvement Tuesday and Wednesday before further positive news emerged Thursday, when the Bills offered an encouraging update:

Members of his medical team spoke with reporters Thursday afternoon:

As for Higgins, he offered his thoughts and prayers Monday evening to Hamlin and his family.

Hamlin's family has been supportive of the wideout, to the point where they have condemned any criticism he received in the aftermath of the collision.

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen also voiced his support for Higgins while speaking to reporters on Thursday:

Numerous NFL players came to Higgins' defense as well, including Burrow and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, the latter of whom criticized ESPN analyst (and ex-NFL linebacker) Bart Scott for some comments.

Higgins' Bengals teammates also have his back as well, with wide receiver Tyler Boyd adding remarks on that front:

Bills fans have also supported Hamlin, to the point where Bills Mafia started a GoFundMe in support of the Axe ALS Foundation, which Higgins himself supported as part of this year's My Cause, My Cleats campaign.

Higgins is in his third year in the NFL, all with the Bengals. He surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season on Dec. 24 against the New England Patriots.

Russell Wilson will not be on the field for the Denver Broncos in Week 15.

Wilson was officially listed as out on Friday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Broncos quarterback passed the concussion protocol, but will not play, per Broncos team reporter Aric DiLalla.

Wilson has been in concussion protocol all week after he suffered the head injury in Week 14.

While Wilson will not be on the field, Tee Higgins is trending in the right direction to play on Sunday.

Higgins was at the center of a controversial circumstance last week, as he played a single snap before leaving the field.

The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver practiced on Friday in what could be viewed as a positive development ahead of Sunday.

Below is a look at updates on the other significant fantasy football stars dealing with injuries ahead of Week 15.

• Russell Wilson, QB, DEN: out (concussion)
• Tee Higgins, WR, CIN: questionable (hamstring)
  
• Tyler Boyd, WR, CIN: questionable (finger)
  
• Jakobi Meyers, WR, NE: returned to practice Friday (concussion), per NESN's Zack Cox
  
• Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE: returned to practice Friday, per Cox
  
• Damien Harris, RB, NE: limited in practice (thigh), per NFL.com.
  
• Marquise Brown, WR, ARI: questionable (illness)
  
• Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT: not listed on injury report (foot)
  
• Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT: not listed on injury report (hip)
  
• David Montgomery, RB, CHI: not listed on injury report (Illness)
  
• Dameon Pierce, RB, HOU: out (ankle)
  
• Jeff Wilson, RB, MIA: questionable (hip)
  
• Kenny Pickett, QB, PIT: doubtful (concussion)
  
• DJ Moore, WR, CAR: questionable (ankle)
  
• Chase Claypool, WR, CHI: out (knee)

Russell Wilson Practices Friday

Russell Wilson will not play on Sunday.

He will be replaced by Brett Rypien for the clash with the Arizona Cardinals.

Rypien threw a touchdown pass in relief of Wilson, but he only had 16 yards and completed four of his eight pass attempts in Week 14.

Rypien had 225 passing yards and no touchdown passes in his lone start this season in Week 7 against the New York Jets.

Jeudy and Greg Dulcich are most affected by Wilson's absence. Courtland Sutton is out for Sunday. Running back Latavius Murray carries a bit more fantasy value.

Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder and Andy Dalton are among the potential waiver-wire candidates to add at quarterback.

Tee Higgins Listed as Questionable

Tee Higgins is officially listed as questionable for the Cincinnati Bengals' matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Higgins is dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out for most of last week's game against the Cleveland Browns.

He did practice on Friday, as well as teammate and fellow wide receiver Tyler Boyd, which is a positive sign for his hopes to play on Sunday.

Higgins played one snap last week and then did not feature in the AFC North to the ire of fantasy football players.

There may be some lost trust between fantasy players and the Bengals regarding Higgins' status for Week 15.

Higgins produced back-to-back 100-yard games in Weeks 11 and 12 and scored three times in five weeks leading up to Week 14.

Higgins could play a large role in the Cincinnati offense, as usual, if he does see the field against Tampa Bay.

If he can't play, Michael Gallup, Elijah Moore and Mack Hollins are among the players to pick up off the waiver wire.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd had an understandable reaction to the dislocated finger he suffered during Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns.

"I kind of went in shock," Boyd said Thursday, per Ben Baby of ESPN. "I never really had any major injuries, thank god, let alone being able to see a bone. So, it kind of threw me off."

The bone broke through his skin and forced him to miss most of the contest, but Baby noted he has practiced in a limited capacity this week with a game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the schedule.

Fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins, who missed all but one snap during the win over Cleveland, has been limited with a hamstring injury, so having Boyd available will be critical.

Otherwise, more of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Ja'Marr Chase, who is as well suited to thrive in such a situation as almost any wide receiver in the league. He posted 10 catches for 119 yards and one touchdown against the Browns and appears to be fully healthy after missing time earlier in the season.

Trenton Irwin also caught a touchdown against the Browns and could see more time if Boyd or Higgins is out.

Cincinnati is one of the hottest teams in the NFL with five wins in a row and a 9-4 record. It is tied with the Baltimore Ravens with a head-to-head showdown in Week 18 looming, and the team is in championship-or-bust mode after reaching the Super Bowl last season.

One reason the Bengals are so dangerous is their wide receiver group of Chase, Higgins and Boyd, and having them all on the field is their best chance to win the Lombardi Trophy.

It seems as if Boyd is trending toward playing against the Buccaneers even if he is battling through a shocking injury.

For a time this season, it appeared that the Cincinnati Bengals were going to be the latest victim of the "Super Bowl hangover" that has often plagued losers of football's biggest game in the past. The Bengals dropped their first two matchups of the season and were just 4-4 at the eight-game mark.

But something happened after the Bengals were embarrassed by the Browns in Cleveland on Halloween. Maybe it was getting thumped by a mediocre division rival or a matter of things falling into place. But the Bengals dropped a piano on the Carolina Panthers the following Sunday, and they haven't lost a game since.

On Sunday, the Bengals faced their stiffest test of the season as Patrick Mahomes and the AFC-leading Kansas City Chiefs came to town. In beating the Chiefs for a third straight time, the Bengals served notice to the rest of the league.

If there was a hangover, it's long gone now. These Bengals are every bit as good as last year's team and quite possibly better. And what's more, Cincinnati is playing as well as any team in the NFL as we head into December and the stretch run.

As Charlie Goldsmith wrote for the Cincinnati Enquirer before Sunday's rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said he expected the same thing most fans and pundits did—an exciting, back-and-forth affair between two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.

"Anytime you get premiere players like Mahomes and Burrow together and in a game, it's just great for competition," Callahan said. "It's great for the sport. If you're a fan, it's got to be exciting to want to go watch that. They're just two really, really talented competitors."

He wasn't wrong. Sunday's game absolutely lived up to the hype, with Burrow and Mahomes exchanging haymakers. For the third time in as many meetings, it was Burrow who was the last man standing.

Outplaying Patrick Mahomes is no small feat, but Burrow did it again Sunday. He completed 25 of 31 passes for 286 yards and two scores while rushing for a third touchdown. Burrow's passer rating for the game was 128.6—over 30 points higher than Mahomes'. Every time the Chiefs appeared on the brink of taking over the game, Burrow calmly put together a drive.

Burrow didn't do it himself, of course.

With running back Joe Mixon on the shelf for a second successive week because of a concussion, reserve running back Samaje Perine came up big with 21 carries, half a dozen catches and over 150 total yards. In his first game since injuring his hip in Week 7, Ja'Marr Chase looked to be as dangerous and explosive as ever, catching seven of eight targets for 97 yards. Tee Higgins, who stepped into the No. 1 role while Chase was out, chipped in three catches for 35 yards and a score. Slot receiver Tyler Boyd posted four catches for 60 yards.

It was a reminder just how loaded the Cincinnati offense is with skill-position talent. But any symphony is only as good as its conductor, and Chase told reporters after the win that there's no one he'd rather have leading the Cincinnati offense than his former LSU teammate.

"He (Burrow) is the best quarterback in the league," Chase said. "That's a fact."

As much as Burrow benefitted from having his full complement of weapons back, the offensive line in front of him may have been even more important. At first glance, the 32 sacks Burrow has taken this season seems like a lot. But 13 of those 32 sacks came over the first two games of the season.

In the nine games since, Burrow has been dropped 19 times, including just once against Kansas City. That isn't great, but it's…average. And average is light-years better than last year's turnstile up front.

As he showed Sunday, give Burrow time in the pocket and he will carve up just about any defense he faces.

Cincinnati's defense deserves credit, too. Heading into Week 13, Mahomes had surpassed 300 passing yards in five straight games. In two of those contests, he topped 400 passing yards. He also threw at least three touchdown passes three times over that span.

But just as in last year's playoffs, the Bengals used a lot of eight-man coverage looks against Mahomes on Sunday. It worked yet again, as Mahomes threw for a pedestrian 230 yards with one score. All told, Kansas City had 349 yards of offense—81 yards below their season average.

It was a hard-fought, all-around effort. But while Burrow praised his team's performance while speaking to Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports, he also insisted that it's just one step in a much bigger journey.

"We just have guys who know what it takes to win," Burrow said. "Who know what it takes every week in practice to grind. To come out here in a moment like this in front of this crowd and come out with a big win. That being said, that's all it is. A big win. We've got several more coming up. It was a fun one, but I know we'll be seeing them again."

He's right of course. The reality is that if you want to make it through the AFC bracket, at some point you are probably going to have to take on Mahomes and the Chiefs. Cincinnati also has a brutal schedule the rest of the way.

After next week's rematch with the Browns, Cincinnati's last four opponents all made the playoffs in 2022—at Tampa Bay, at New England and then home against Buffalo and Baltimore. That Week 18 matchup with the Ravens could well be for the AFC North title.

But the Bengals team we saw Sunday is capable of thriving in that gauntlet. The Bengals are as balanced as they are loaded on offense. The defense has talent at all three levels, whether it's Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson up front, Logan Wilson at linebacker or Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell on the back end.

And these Bengals are battle-tested after last year's Super Bowl run. They don't shrink in big moments. They also have one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL—a megastar in the making. As Higgins said before the game, the Bengals believe they will win every time they step on the field.

"I believe in our offense," he said. "I believe in the firepower that we've got."

It's high time we believe in the Bengals, too, and not just as a threat to make it back to the Super Bowl, either.

They're a team that could win it.

With the fantasy trade deadline fast approaching and Ja'Marr Chase out injured with a hip injury, it's a good time to review the trade value of Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

Let's start with the history of this duo playing together.

Both players were weekly flex considerations back in 2020, with Higgins finishing as the WR28 in standard-scoring leagues and Boyd finishing as the WR29, per ESPN.

Higgins had a slightly more productive season (67 receptions for 908 yards and six touchdowns) and was excellent when Joe Burrow was healthy that year. In the nine games before Burrow's season-ending ACL and MCL tears, Higgins posted seven games with double-digit fantasy points.

Boyd (79 receptions for 841 yards and four touchdowns) also had seven games with double-digit fantasy points with a healthy Burrow and likely would have been a WR1 had the QB stayed healthy.

Both took a backseat with Chase around last season, though it was Higgins (74 catches for 1,091 yards and six scores) who emerged as the clear No. 2 over Boyd (67 catches for 828 yards and five touchdowns).

The absence of Chase has led to similar results this time around.

In the two games he's missed, Higgins has emerged as the No. 1 option for Burrow, catching 10 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. Boyd, meanwhile, has eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.

There isn't a huge separation here, and it's actually been Boyd who has been slightly better across the overall season (13.1 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues) than Higgins (12.8 PPG).

But Higgins is steady, with seven games of double-digit scoring in the nine games he's played this season (and in one of those games he was injured early and barely played, registering no stats). Boyd, meanwhile, has only provided five such games.

Both players should be safely valued in the flex range if you are looking to add them, while if you are a seller you should be trying to extract WR2 value for each. Higgins is the slightly better trade target here, but with Chase out of commission both have very solid value.

Once Chase returns, however, both players take an overall hit and are only flex considerations moving forward. If you are loaded at wide receiver, now isn't the worst time to consider selling high on Boyd.