At 4-6, the Bengals are in a tough spot as Cincinnati tries to get back into the AFC playoff picture. This weekend's game against the 6-3 Chargers is therefore crucial because a Cincinnati win could help cut into Los Angeles' wild card lead.
Ahead of the game, the Bengals offense is banged up, highlighted by wide receiver Tee Higgins' quad injury. The veteran has missed the last three games as he recovers from an injury he suffered during practice before Week 8's matchup vs. the Eagles.
The Bengals never put Higgins on injured reserve, which was a sign that he should've been able to return within four weeks.
Here is what you need to know about Higgins' status this week.
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Is Tee Higgins playing this week?
After practicing on a limited basis throughout the week, Higgins is expected to return to the lineup for the first time since Week 7 this Sunday.
Head coach Zac Taylor made the announcement ahead of the Bengals' practice on Friday.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins is expected to play against the Chargers, coach Zac Taylor said. Has missed the last three games with a quad injury. pic.twitter.com/sColYrXWUD
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) November 15, 2024
Higgins last played during the Bengals' Week 7 victory over the Browns, when he totaled four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Since then, the veteran wide receiver has missed three games, in which the Bengals were 1-2 without him.
On the season, Higgins has played in just five games as he dealt with multiple injuries. Even when he's been in the lineup, he hasn't broken out. However, for the 4-6 Bengals to make a run at the playoffs, they will need Higgins to get back to his previous form.
Inactives for 'Sunday Night Football' have been released and Higgins is officially active.
.@KetteringHealth Inactives for #CINvsLAC pic.twitter.com/iJV3fmaPeg
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 17, 2024
WEEK 11 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
Bengals WR depth chart
| Rank | Name |
| No. 1 | Ja'Marr Chase |
| No. 2 | Tee Higgins |
| No. 3 | Andrei Iosivas |
| No. 4 | Jermaine Burton |
| No. 5 | Trent Irwin |
| No. 6 | Charlie Jones |
Chase is atop the depth chart. He has 66 catches for 981 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, all of which leads the league. With Higgins back, he should regain his spot as second on the depth chart. His 29 catches for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns is second on the team among wide receivers.
Iosivas and Burton will each drop down a spot on the depth chart, but Iosvias should still see time in three wide receiver offensive sets. Iosivas currently has 228 yards and four touchdowns on the season, while Burton has just three catches for 99 yards.
Irwin and Jones offer depth, but Jones also sees time on special teams for Cincinnati.
MORE: Redrafting the top quarterbacks from stacked 2020 draft class
Tee Higgins fantasy outlook
Higgins' return should mean he goes back into his typical role in the offense as the second receiving option after Ja'Marr Chase.
As Higgins has battled injuries this year, he hasn't been able to get into a groove, but he was trending in the right direction before this quad issue. Still, this year's production combined with the injuries means Higgins isn't a reliable starting option yet.
