Bengals' Tee Higgins opted to fight through hamstring injury vs. Chiefs
Both of the Cincinnati Bengals' top receivers took the field against the Kansas City Chiefs, but neither finished the game 100% healthy. Ja'Marr Chase was already dealing with an AC joint sprain, and Tee Higgins incurred an injury of his own.Higgins suffered a hamstring injury early on in the 25-17 loss that eliminated the Bengals […]
Both of the Cincinnati Bengals' top receivers took the field against the Kansas City Chiefs, but neither finished the game 100% healthy. Ja'Marr Chase was already dealing with an AC joint sprain, and Tee Higgins incurred an injury of his own.
Higgins suffered a hamstring injury early on in the 25-17 loss that eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention. The injury took him out of the game during the first half, but Higgins would eventually return on his own accord. He told reporters after the game that he played through it because of how much the team and locker room means to him.
Playing through injury against a stout Chiefs defense definitely impacted how much Higgins could produce Sunday afternoon. He was limited to one reception for 19 yards on two targets, the second being the last play the Bengals' offense ran. Quarterback Jake Browning heaved a desperate pass on 4th-and-27 to Higgins, who was double-covered far down the field, and the ball hit the ground to end Cincinnati's playoff hopes.
Most players are playing hurt in late December, but Higgins had reasons to stay on the sideline. He's scheduled to become a free agent this offseason. At the very least, the Bengals will be interested in using the franchise tag on him this March, but the soon-to-be 25-year old playmaker is on track for a life-changing contract.
Risking his health so late in the year with a massive payday on the way is a bold move, and Higgins should be commended for it.
2023 was not the best year for Higgins. He currently sits at 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games played. He's suffered multiple hamstring injuries and a broken rib along the way as well.
But when the season was on the line, Higgins put all that to the side and was out there when it mattered the most.
Higgins may be playing in his last game with the Bengals next week. Depending on how severe the hamstring injury is, he may've already wrapped up his Bengals career. No one can say he didn't give it his all.
Bengals’ familiar problem cost them a trip to the playoffs
It’s on to 2024.
