CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins practiced for the second day in a row, increasing his chances of making his season debut Monday night against the Washington Commanders.
Higgins returned to practice Thursday and was listed as a limited participant. He went limited again Friday but said he’s planning on playing Monday.
Sometimes, the biggest hurdle with hamstrings is how they respond the day after returning to practice, which is something Higgins dealt with when he originally injured it a few days before the season opener against the New England Patriots.
Several Bengals Starters Unlikely To Play Monday vs. Commanders
That happened in the Thursday practice, after which Higgins said he felt great and as good as he ever has in training camp.
The following day he was unable to practice, and he wasn’t able to go all of last week as well.
Getting back on the field today after testing the hamstring on Thursday is a positive sign.
“Having Tee on the field, I don’t care what (personnel grouping) we’re in, we’re better,” offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said Thursday when asked how much of a difference Higgins can make when he returns.
“So it helps getting him back, regardless of what personnel grouping we’re in,” Pitcher added. “Certainly 12, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins out there, is pretty, you know, I think it’ll be a good grouping for us.”
TEE HIGGINS, WHAT A CATCH‼️
(via @Bengals)
pic.twitter.com/Zee2WvLS1d— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 16, 2023
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sounded hopeful for the receiver’s return as well.
“We’re obviously a better team with Tee out there,” Burrow said. “He’s going to continue to get healthier and healthier. Hopefully we have him (Monday). If we don’t, we still feel confident in the guys that we have. We’re obviously more dynamic and a much better team with Tee out there.”
Some other injury news is less positive for the Bengals.
Starting safety Vonn Bell left Thursday’s practice with a back injury and was not practicing today during the portion open to the media.
Expect 2023 third-round pick Jordan Battle to start if Bell can’t go, with rookie seventh-round pick Daijahn Anthony remaining in his third-down role.
Defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins also missed their second consecutive practices with hamstring injuries.
Hill has been on the rehab field the last two days, and he was running sprints today, but it still is a longshot for him to play Monday. Rankins has not been on the rehab field this week.
Hill left in the first half of Sunday’s 26-25 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Rankins left in the second half.
Rookie defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was practicing for the second consecutive day after having thumb surgery Sept. 6.
Rookie offensive tackle Amarius Mims continues to practice but has yet to be listed as a full participant.
Tight end Mike Gesicki was back at practice today after going limited Thursday with a calf injury.
Tight end Tanner Hudson missed his third consecutive practice with a knee injury but could be active again Monday, as he was Sunday in Kansas City, simply as an emergency long snapper.
Only one status change on #Bengals injury report.
Vonn Bell downgraded to DNP pic.twitter.com/1R1itIqxnx
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 20, 2024
Bell being downgraded to a non-participant was the only change on the injury report.
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