Bengals' Tee Higgins expected to play vs. Seahawks

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is expected to play in today's Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler was first to report Higgins' expected return to the Bengals' offense, and NFL Media's Ian Rapoport later reported the same. Higgins suffered a rib fracture in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans, causing him […]

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer

Oct 15, 2023 9:24 AM EDT

© Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is expected to play in today's Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler was first to report Higgins' expected return to the Bengals' offense, and NFL Media's Ian Rapoport later reported the same.

#Bengals WR Tee Higgins, returning from a cracked rib and listed as questionable, is expected to play today, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 15, 2023

Higgins suffered a rib fracture in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans, causing him to miss a big portion of that 27-3 loss the Bengals took in Nashville. Higgins revealed his injury following the game, saying it may take him out for a week as he manages the pain.

The fourth-year receiver did end up missing most of practice leading up to Week 5, and did not play that week against the Arizona Cardinals. Cincinnati's offense ended up having its best day of the year, primarily because of Ja'Marr Chase's franchise record-setting day with 15 receptions for 192 yards and three touchdowns.

Playing for Higgins was mainly Trenton Irwin, and rookie Andrei Iosivas had a couple targets thrown his way as well. Those two may ultimately take some snaps throughout today's game in case Higgins may need a breather or two. It's also not confirmed if Higgins will start.

Higgins' 2023 season has not been what anyone expected so far. Outside of an impressive showing in Week 2 that featured eight receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns, the former second-round pick has had trouble getting going in the Bengals' offense.

Quarterback Joe Burrow's struggles have been a major factor in this, and with his QB returning to a semblance of normalcy last week, there's hope for Higgins to do the same today.