No 'if': Bengals' Higgins plans on staying healthy

CINCINNATI -- The 2nd the connection was spoken, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins wouldn't adjacent entertain the thought.

When asked astir the team's imaginable if Higgins tin enactment steadfast for an full season, helium instantly pushed backmost connected the qualifying conjunction. After signing a long-awaited declaration hold to solidify his lasting successful Cincinnati, Higgins was wide astir his intentions for the upcoming season.

"I program connected staying healthy," Higgins said. "Let's not accidental 'if.' Let's not bash that. It's excessively aboriginal to beryllium doing that. I program connected it.

"When I do, [the offense] decidedly could beryllium deadly."

Last season, Higgins battled aggregate soft-tissue injuries. He missed the archetypal 2 games with a hamstring contented and 3 games successful the mediate of the twelvemonth with a quadriceps injury. In 2023, a hamstring occupation kept Higgins disconnected the tract for 4 games.

But the wounded past didn't halt backmost Joe Burrow from stumping for Higgins to get a declaration hold with the Bengals, which Cincinnati obliged this offseason. Higgins signed a four-year woody with Cincinnati worthy $115 million.

In 12 games past season, Higgins had 73 catches for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns. But the precocious numbers amusement conscionable however important helium is to Cincinnati's offense.

When helium was not connected the tract past season, the Bengals ranked 21st successful the NFL successful Expected Points Added per play, according to ESPN Research. With Higgins connected the field, Cincinnati would person ranked astatine slightest 4th successful the league successful that category.

Last year, Higgins told reporters that helium planned connected undertaking the aforesaid studies arsenic Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson to observe the root of the injuries. Speaking to reporters aft Tuesday's voluntary organized squad activity, Higgins said helium alternatively opted to analyse the contented with David Alexander, his trainer who is based retired of Miami.

"I looked astatine it with my trainer and we've been doing things that forestall those injuries happening," said Higgins, who declined to get into the specifics of that work.

However, the sixth-year subordinate retired of Clemson revealed that determination volition beryllium a alteration successful his pre-practice regular that emphasizes stretching and little hostility connected the muscles up of a mid-week practice. Higgins indicated that it was akin to his mid-week signifier absorption past play that allowed him to play the last 7 games of the season.

Cincinnati is positioned to person 1 of the NFL's champion passing attacks fixed the concern level successful caller years. Two years aft Cincinnati gave Burrow a five-year hold worthy $55 cardinal a year, the Bengals re-signed Higgins and chap wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Chase turned a historical All-Pro play into a four-year hold worthy $161 million, which made him the highest-paid non-quarterback successful league history.

Higgins loved the anticipation of joining Chase arsenic a Pro Bowl selection. Chase, who was drafted a twelvemonth aft Higgins with the 5th wide pick, has earned the grant successful each of his archetypal 4 NFL seasons.

But aft missing the playoffs the past 2 seasons, Higgins' superior absorption is to assistance the Bengals triumph games.

Said Higgins: "I privation to spell bash what they paid maine to do."