The Cincinnati Bengals may be getting a big boost before their Monday Night Football showdown against the Washington Commanders this week. Star wide receiver Tee Higgins is practicing on Thursday as he tries to get back on the field for Cincinnati.
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He has been dealing with a hamstring injury, missing the first two weeks of the season. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor provided an update on the star wideout, saying that they want to see how he responds to practice.
“Get him into practice today and see where he goes from there,” Taylor said. “We need him.”
Getting Higgins back on the field would give the Bengals a big boost offensively as they try to climb out of yet another 0-2 hole to start the season. Cincinnati almost pulled the upset on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend but fell just short, losing by one point.
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 04: Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on December 4, 2023 in Jacksonville, FL. Higgins is practicing on Thursday.
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images
Without Higgins, the Bengals offense hasn’t looked the same as it normally does. Alongside co-star Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati has one of the best wide receiver duos in the entire NFL.
This gives quarterback Joe Burrow multiple lethal offensive weapons to work with, making the Bengals one of the strongest teams in the league. When Burrow has been healthy, the Bengals have been a powerhouse. But injuries have defined his career so far.
The same can be said for Higgins, who has been dinged up multiple times throughout his career. But his return to practice is a welcomed sight for Cincinnati after a few weeks of his absence.
According to Bengals insider Paul Dehner Jr., Higgins is in line to make his season debut against the Commanders. Assuming he plays, Cincinnati could elect to give him a snap count to ease him back into the offense.
Tee Higgins returning to practice today, according to Zac Taylor.
All signs pointing toward his debut on MNF.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 19, 2024
Last season, Higgins put up 42 catches for 656 yards and five scores over 12 games played. He is scheduled to be a free agent this coming offseason so it’s in his best interest to play and show exactly why he deserves to be paid a lucrative contract.
Cincinnati will host the Commanders, a team that grabbed its first win this past weekend, with the hopes of turning their year around. A loss to Washington would be extremely detrimental to Bengals’ chances of success this season.
For more Bengals updates, make sure to head to Newsweek Sports.
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