Tee Higgins injury update: Latest on Bengals WR for Week 17 Fantasy Football

Tee Higgins and the Bengals enter Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season knowing that their playoff aspirations are on the line. They currently have a 7-8 record and are two games behind the Broncos, who are 9-6 and occupy the final playoff spot.

They play each other today and if Cincinnati loses, their dreams of featuring in the postseason will be over. If they win, they will keep their chances alive and hope that other permutations fall their way to sneak a Wild Card spot. In the process, they will also directly inflict a blow on the team they are directly competing with for the playoffs.

It is a pivotal matchup and the Bengals need all their offensive stalwarts for this game, especially given how much their defense has struggled all season. Tee Higgins would certainly be a crucial component of their attack if fit, and that is what we explore below.

Tee Higgins' Week 17 injury update

Tee Higgins is dealing with ankle and knee injuries coming into Week 17. He was limited in practice all week and is questionable for the game.

However, he featured last week against the Browns and even scored a touchdown in a vital win. Even then he was dealing with knee issues and even missed practice for a day. Despite that, he made it to the field.

That gives us an indication as to whether the Bengals wide receiver might be available for this crucial clash against the Broncos. It is also corroborated by NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler, who reported,

"#Bengals WR Tee Higgins (questionable, ankle/knee) improved every day in practice and there's optimism he can play Sat. vs. #Broncos, barring new development, per sources."

Based on this, we are leaning towards Tee Higgins being available in Cincinnati against Denver for their Week 17 matchup.

How has Tee Higgins performed this season?

Tee Higgins has not had a vintage year. First, the Bengals did not offer him a new contract in the offseason and instead chose to franchise tag him. This means he will be a free agent after this season.

On the field, his performances have been hampered by injuries. He missed games at the end of October and the beginning of November. Despite that, he has accumulated 727 yards and seven touchdowns.

His importance to the team also becomes clear when we look at Ja'Marr Chase's connection with Joe Burrow. Both the quarterback and the wide receiver are having career years. If Higgins is not available, the opposition can double up on Chase and block Burrow from finding his primary weapon.

For fantasy football managers, it is also reflected in his recent form where he has become a consistent red zone threat. He has five touchdowns in his last six games. The only time he did not score was versus the Cowboys where he had two catches for 23 yards in a game where the run-game took primacy. In every other match, he has entered the endzone and has caught for at least 50 yards.

His best performance this season was against the Chargers when he recorded 148 receiving yards. He is facing another AFC West team in Week 17. Denver's passing defense is remarkably similar to that of Los Angeles with the Broncos allowing 219.8 yards per game compared to the 213.8 yards on average that their divisional rivals allow.

With Sean Payton expected to be more preoccupied with Ja'Marr Chase, this could be a big game for Tee Higgins. With him likely to play in this do-or-die matchup for the Bengals against the Broncos, fantasy football managers should seriously consider him.