Bengals’ Tee Higgins to make season debut vs. Commanders on Monday night

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase didn’t mince words when asked what Tee Higgins’ return will mean for him. “Less double teams,” Chase said. The Bengals will finally have both of their top wideouts on the field at the same time, as coach Zac Taylor told reporters Higgins will make his season debut Monday night against the Commanders after missing the first two games of the 2024 season with a hamstring injury.

Higgins said he’s back and feeling “100%” for Monday night. “Get through the f—ing week, man” a smiling Higgins said when asked about his mindset during practice this week. “Just let me make it through the week, make it to Monday, and go from there.”

His return should be a significant boost for the Bengals, who are off to their third consecutive 0-2 start. A 2020 second-round pick, Higgins has established himself as arguably the NFL’s best No. 2 wideout. Higgins has played exceptionally well whenever Chase has been out of the lineup due to injury.

Higgins put up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022 while helping the Bengals capture one AFC title and two AFC North division crowns over that span. Injuries, however, limited Higgins to just 12 games in 2023. Despite the injuries, Higgins still had several notable performances that included his two-touchdown effort in Cincinnati’s Week 15 win over Minnesota. Higgins caught five passes for 140 yards and a score during the following week’s loss to Pittsburgh.

Cincinnati’s offense scored just 10 points in an upset loss to New England in Week 1. The offense played vastly better last Sunday in Kansas City, scoring 25 points and putting up over 100 more passing yards than the Chiefs. But a subpar rushing attack contributed to the Bengals converting on just 4 of their 13 third-down situations in what was ultimately a one-point loss to the two-time defending Super Bowl champs.

The Bengals are hoping to right the ship on Monday night against a Commanders team that split its first two games of the season. Having Higgins in the lineup helps their cause.

Jim Harbaugh says Chargers QB game-time call vs. Steelers with high ankle sprain

The Los Angeles Chargers officially listed quarterback Justin Herbert as questionable with a high ankle sprain for Sunday’s Week 3 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh told CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson that Herbert will be a true game-time decision.

Harbaugh added there is a hope that the swelling subsides in the next 24 hours in order for Herbert to play. Harbaugh said he is preparing scenarios involving Easton Stick and Taylor Heinicke or even the possibility of all three playing if Herbert is limited.

Herbert was a limited participant during Thursday’s practice after missing Wednesday’s session with what the team listed as an ankle injury. Herbert himself got into more specifics surrounding the injury while speaking to reporters on Friday.

The 26-year-old noted that he suffered a high ankle sprain during last Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers. Herbert added that it’s “yet to be decided” whether he’ll play in Week 3 and added that the pain is “not great”

Despite suffering that injury in Week 2, Herbert played the entire game against the Panthers. In the 26-3 victory, he completed 14 of his 20 pass attempts for 130 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also added 18 yards rushing on six carries.

The Chargers find themselves 2-0 heading into this Week 3 matchup against the Steelers, who also come into this head-to-head undefeated. Naturally, a hobbled Herbert or no Herbert entirely would drastically decrease the club’s ability to stay out of the loss column, particularly against a Pittsburgh defense that has stifled opponents through the first two weeks of the year.

Saints’ Derek Carr fined $14,000 for inappropriate TD celebration vs. Cowboys

Through two weeks, the New Orleans Saints are the hottest team in the NFL. Not only are they 2-0, but they have scored 91 total points in their first two contests, which is tied for the fourth-most points scored in NFL history through a team’s first two games.

Klint Kubiak’s offense has been impressive, as the Saints have scored on 16 of 21 drives this season. That includes six straight touchdown drives vs. the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. On the fifth touchdown drive Sunday, quarterback Derek Carr finished off the possession himself with a 1-yard run. To celebrate, he quickly morphed into Michael Jackson and completed a little dance with the famous crotch grab.

As it turns out, the NFL did not like Carr’s celebration and fined him $14,069, the league announced on Saturday. He was not penalized for the celebration during the game.

Derek Carr and the @Saints are on pace to drop 70 points on the Cowboys today 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/7pQP8ZF8IW

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 15, 2024
Carr is not a player who often draws the ire of the league, but his sweet dance moves couldn’t go without punishment. It was likely the crotch grab specifically that made his wallet $14,000 lighter.