Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is one of the noticeable absences when the team reaches the 11-on-11 period of practice. Currently, quarterback Joe Burrow, right tackle La’el Collins, linebacker Logan Wilson, safety Jessie Bates and Higgins are the four starters from the 2021 season not on the field during this portion of practice.
And they’re all not participating for different reasons.
Higgins can practice in a limited capacity, though. Following Super Bowl 56, Cincinnati’s second-round pick underwent surgery on his shoulder and spent the offseason rehabbing. He didn’t participate in any of the Bengals’ voluntary offseason program but was present as he spent the time working with the team’s medical staff on a side field.
Tee Higgins: How a quiet kid from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, became a Cincinnati Bengals star
Bengals injury news:Tight end Drew Sample avoids season-ending injury, expected to miss few weeks
Tyler Boyd: How the Bengals built a winning culture around veteran wide receiver
As training camp ramps up, Higgins is getting the itch to be able to participate in team periods of practice. While he is unable to participate physically, he’s focused on how he can mentally get the reps he’s missing out on.
“It’s been boring because you know I’m a competitor at the end of the day so obviously I want to compete during the team periods but it’s also a learning experience,” Higgins said on Sunday. “Just getting my mental right, hearing the plays being called and seeing what I would do against that coverage however Eli (Apple) or Chido (Chidobe Awuzie) is playing that coverage. Just doing it mentally.”
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has yet to put a timeline on when Higgins and Wilson, both of whom had surgery on their labrums, will be able to practice without limitations. Taylor takes great pride in ensuring his players are not rushed back from injuries and says it’s his job as the head coach to make sure his players get eased back into things to avoid any setbacks.
“It’s on us at the beginning portion of training camp to make sure we protect them and keep them out of those environments that could set them back,” Taylor said.
More:Bengals training camp observations: Offense has success playing 'musical chairs'
More:Looking back on the play that changed Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard's career
Bengals training camp observations: The defense can be even better in 2022
When asked if Higgins personally needs preseason game snaps to be ready to go come Week 1 when the Bengals host the Steelers, he said it’s not necessary per say, but it wouldn’t be a negative.
“It wouldn’t hurt but I feel like all I really need is that competition in practice to get my feet back wet and get that competition,” Higgins said.
It’s unlikely at this point Higgins will see any game action during the preseason. Without taking any team reps up to this point, it’s almost guaranteed he won’t even dress for Cincinnati’s first exhibition game on Aug. 12 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Higgins did say he does think he will get team reps in practice by the end of training camp. Burrow having to undergo an emergency appendectomy the day before training camp is also a factor in Higgins’ return. It’s unlikely Taylor would put Higgins out on the field for a preseason game without Burrow starting. The risk is greater than the reward if this was to be the scenario.
“I feel like I’m closer than expected so it’s up to the training staff at the end of the day but it’s also up to me to tell them how I feel,” Higgins said. “I feel amazing so I’m just putting the ball in their hands and we’ll see where we go from there.”
Heading into his third season with the Bengals, Higgins isn’t overly concerned he and his quarterback haven’t been able to get reps together this offseason. They’ve played two full seasons with one another and both remain in elite shape in the offseason to ensure they don’t lose a step.
Higgins is coming off his best season and is looking to take his game to the next level as he heads into the most important year of his career. He caught 74 passes for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season and added 18 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns in the postseason.
Following the 2022 season, Higgins will be eligible for a contract extension as he signed a four-year rookie deal with the Bengals in 2020. If he performs at the level he did in 2021, he’ll put himself in a great position to cash in on a mega-deal next offseason.
Even though Higgins is eager to get back on the field and be fully cleared, he trusts the process the Bengals have in place for him. But it won’t stop him from expressing his desire to compete against his teammates again.
“I’m ready… honestly,” Higgins said.
Source link
