Tee Higgins is set to make his season debut on Monday night. Bengals coach Zac Taylor confirmed that the wide receiver is “good to go” for Week 3, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Higgins missed the Bengals first two games while dealing with a hamstring injury that popped up during a Week 1 practice. The receiver finally returned to practice this past week, and while he was limited, he admitted that he’s back to feeling 100 percent.
“I feel great,” Higgins said yesterday (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). “Obviously, unfortunate with the injury, sat out the first two weeks but finally ready to get my feet wet this season and ready to go.”
Higgins’ absence raised some eyebrows following an offseason where he was slapped with the franchise tag. The two sides ultimately couldn’t agree to a long-term deal, and Higgins’ sudden injury came on the heels of the Ja’Marr Chase drama. Higgins made it clear that his absence had nothing to do with his contract, noting that the injury was worse than initially feared. In fact, the impending free agent was especially motivated to take the field as soon as possible.
“That’s why I was so bummed out that it happened because it was something I focused on this offseason for it not to happen, and it did, but I’m back now so it’s cool,” Higgins said last week (via Baby).
The former 1,000-yard receiver will be counted on to provide a spark to an offense that’s scored three touchdowns in two games. With Higgins out of the lineup, the team has been especially reliant on tight end Mike Gesicki and second-year WR Andrei Iosivas, with Trenton Irwin and rookie third-round pick Jermaine Burton also garnering some extra targets.