Higgins said Monday that he doesn't envision his fractured rib keeping him out for an extended period and didn't rule out the possibility of playing this Sunday in Arizona if he can tolerate the pain and soreness, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Higgins was careful to note that he fractured just one rib rather than multiple ones when he "landed wrong" during a play in this past Sunday's 27-3 loss to the Titans. According to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Higgins initially thought his injury was back tightness and continued to play through the issue, but he ended up sitting out the final two quarters after a halftime X-ray revealed a fractured rib. Though he's optimistic about his long-term health outlook, Higgins seems likely to be withheld or limited during practices this week, clouding his status for Sunday's contest.

Higgins suffered a rib fracture in Sunday's 27-3 loss to the Titans that could cause the wideout to miss some time, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Look for added context regarding Higgins' status to arrive in the coming days, but the wideout's availability for next Sunday's game against the Cardinals could be impacted by his rib injury. If Higgins is out or limited next weekend, Trenton Irwin and Andrei Iosivas would be in line to see added snaps behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd.

Higgins won't return to Sunday's game against the Titans due to a rib injury.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to being forced out of the contest, Higgins caught two of his four targets for 19 yards. In his absence, Trenton Irwin and Andrei Iosivas are candidates to see added WR snaps behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd.

Higgins was held to two receptions on eight targets for 21 yards in Monday's 19-16 win over the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

Higgins was unable to build off of his monster two-score game against the Ravens, instead reverting to his Week 1 form when he posted a bagel on eight targets. The 24-year-old was able to grab a couple of his eight targets this time around, but he still harbors an ugly 36 percent catch rate through three games. Joe Burrow (calf) has been limited by injury to begin the season, and it has clearly affected the rhythm between he and his top targets. Until the franchise quarterback starts playing like his usual self, we may continue to see volatile results from Higgins and the Bengals' passing game. Higgins will get an opportunity to bounce back against the Titans next Sunday.

Higgins had eight catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals' Week 12 loss to the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

After getting shut out last week, Higgins led the Bengals' receiving corps in catches, yards and targets, taking advantage of the absence of the Ravens' Marlon Humphrey. Higgins and the Bengals next face the Rams on Monday night.

Higgins finished without a catch on eight targets in Sunday's 24-3 loss to the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

After failing to work out a contract extension with the Bengals prior to the season, Higgins started this potential contract year with a goose egg. Higgins was blanked on three first-half targets as Joe Burrow threw for just 36 yards and the Bengals took a 10-0 deficit into the locker room. Things didn't get any better after halftime, as Burrow finished with just 82 yards and Higgins remained catch-less. Higgins topped 1,000 yards in each of the previous two seasons, so he's likely to shake off this clunker in Week 2 against the Ravens.

Higgins and the Bengals are "not close" on a long-term contract extension, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Unless something "shocking" happens in the next 24 hours, Higgins is not expected to have a new deal prior to Week 1. Higgins has already stated he plans to play with or without a new deal as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Higgins is not listed on the injury report and will bookend Ja'Marr Chase against the Browns on Sunday.

Higgins returned to practice Wednesday with a compression sleeve on his right leg, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Higgins is back on the field in full pads after an awkward landing that occurred Monday. Despite the compression sleeve, there are no indications at this point that the 2020 second-round pick is still dealing with any lingering injury. It's also possible that some of Higgins' precautionary absences are related to the mutual hope between he and Cincinnati that a long-term extension can be worked out prior to the start of the regular season.

Higgins has sat out some of the Bengals' full-team drills during this training camp as a precaution, https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/tee-higgins-downplays-missing-team-reps-bengals-training-camp-just-precaution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Bengals and Higgins are still hoping to come to terms on a long-term deal before the season begins, which might explain why he and the Bengals are taking extra precautions this summer. It's possible that he sits out of all three preseason games.

The Bengals are hoping to agree to an extension with Higgins prior to the start of the 2023 regular season, James Rapien of SI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Extending Higgins is viewed as a greater priority than doing so with DJ Reader or Chidobe Awuzie. The Bengals still are hoping to go into this season with long-term contracts in place for both Joe Burrow (calf) and Higgins. The Burrow-to-Higgins connection has been among the NFL's most effective since the quarterback and receiver came into the league in 2020, as Higgins has compiled 3,028 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.