In a strategic move aimed at fortifying their offensive lineup, the Cincinnati Bengals have made a resounding statement by choosing to employ the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, the dynamic wide receiver whose impact on the team’s performance cannot be overstated.



This decision, disclosed by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, signifies the Bengals’ unwavering commitment to retaining Higgins as a pivotal component of their offensive strategy for the forthcoming 2024 season.



Higgins, originally drafted from Clemson University in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has swiftly ascended the ranks to become one of the most relied-upon assets in the Bengals’ arsenal.



<h2>Higgins’ Resilience Amplifies Bengals’ Offensive Prowess</h2>



His remarkable contribution of 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns underscored his undeniable value to the team’s offensive dynamics, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and deliver when it matters most.



Despite enduring a series of challenging injuries, including a fractured rib and hamstring and ankle issues, Higgins demonstrated unparalleled resilience on the field throughout the previous season.



Teaming up with star quarterback Joe Burrow, Higgins has seamlessly integrated himself into the Bengals’ offensive scheme, forming a formidable partnership with three-time Pro Bowler Ja’Marr Chase. Together, they represent the cornerstone of the Bengals’ offensive strategy.

Bengals Secure Tee Higgins with Franchise Tag

Bengals Secure Tee Higgins with Franchise Tag - thesportsdrops NEWS

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In a pivotal matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cincinnati Bengals anticipate the comeback of wide receiver Tee Higgins, who has been absent for the past three games due to a hamstring injury.



As the Bengals navigate a tough AFC playoff race, quarterback Jake Browning steps into a pivotal role following Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury. Browning’s recent debut showcased promise, yet the Bengals struggled to convert yards into points against the Pittsburgh Steelers.



Higgins’ return adds a potent dimension to the Bengals’ offensive arsenal, joining forces with Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd. This trio has been crucial to Burrow’s success, with Higgins contributing 27 receptions, 327 yards, and two touchdowns in seven games this season.



<h2>Bengals Navigate Defensive Setbacks in Monday Night Football</h2>



On the defensive front, linebacker Logan Wilson, despite nursing ankle and foot injuries, is set to return. However, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt will be sidelined due to an ankle sprain suffered in practice.



With three consecutive losses and a 5-6 record, the Bengals face a critical juncture in their season. Meanwhile, the 8-3 Jaguars aim to widen their division lead in this Monday Night Football matchup.



Although the absence of key players like Burrow and Taylor-Britt presents challenges, the return of Higgins and Wilson injects crucial firepower into the Bengals’ lineup as they navigate the fiercely competitive AFC playoff race.

Bengals Look to Rebound with Return of Key Players

Bengals Look to Rebound with Return of Key Players - thesportsdrops NEWS

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Following Aaron Rodgers‘ season-ending injury, the conversation around NFL playing fields has once again taken center stage, and Joe Burrow, a fellow star quarterback on the Cincinnati Bengals, has joined the discourse.



Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon during his debut with the New York Jets on Monday night, reigniting concerns about the quality of MetLife Stadium‘s artificial turf, a surface that has faced scrutiny over the years. While Burrow didn’t push for the complete elimination of artificial surfaces, he stressed the need for greater consistency in the league’s approach to turf fields.



“I think the last couple of years, studies have come out how much safer grass fields are. The most important thing is having a standard for the turf fields, having each turf field across the league have a certain standard, and all of them are the same. Everywhere you go that has turf, each turf is different, and I think having uniformity across the league would be best,” Burrow stated (h/t PFT).



<h2>NFLPA President Continues Push for Safer Fields Amid Artificial Turf Debate</h2>



In April, NFLPA President JC Tretter presented long-term data that linked artificial turf to a higher rate of injuries compared to natural grass. Following Rodgers’ injury, Tretter reiterated his call for the NFL to permanently switch to natural grass.



“Our occupation is dangerous enough, and the increased rate of lower extremity injuries linked to the field surface we are forced to play on is unacceptable,” Tretter wrote. “The NFLPA is advocating for teams to convert artificial practice and game fields to natural grass fields. In the meantime, we’re fighting on behalf of our players to develop better safety standards and testing methods for artificial turf. There is room for innovation by artificial turf manufacturers, but until the risk of injury on turf mirrors the risk on grass, playing on turf is not in the best interest of our players.”



MetLife Stadium replaced its slit film turf ahead of the 2023 season, but Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium remains one of the four venues still using this surface. The NFLPA has described injuries on slit film turf as “entirely preventable.” This Sunday, Burrow and the Bengals will compete on this type of surface when they host the Baltimore Ravens.

Joe Burrow Calls for Uniform NFL Turf Standards Amid Aaron Rodgers' Injury

Joe Burrow Calls for Uniform NFL Turf Standards Amid Aaron Rodgers' Injury - thesportsdrops NEWS

<a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/daniel-jones-admits-that-lack-of-success-with-giants-affects-him-1820-20220627-SPD-1820.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2021</a> has been a fantastic year for the Bengals. After many years of wait, Cincinnati qualified for the postseason, won its first road game in the playoffs, and eventually made the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/super-bowl-champions-list-of-all-time-winners-215-20220503-SPD-215.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Bowl</a>.



Even though the ending was not the best, it was a memorable ride for everyone in Cincinnati. But far from being satisfied, the mood is that last season should be a stepping stone for even more success in the future.



For instance, Bengals running back Joe Mixon believes the team has what it takes to have another great season. As a matter of fact, he even sees the Bengals as candidates to reach the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/russell-wilson-explains-why-he-chose-the-denver-broncos-1683-20220621-SPD-1683.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Bowl</a> again.



<h2>Joe Mixon confident Bengals can make another trip to the Super Bowl</h2>



“We was obviously there,” Mixon told Charlie Walter of KPIX, via ProFootballTalk. “Went there. We actually put on a hell of a showing. To be honest, I feel like we might be the hottest thing smoking in the NFL on Sundays.



“With the talent we got and who we added onto this year, I feel like we’re bound to have a hell of a season. The best thing about it is we’ve been there before and we know how to get there. We just gotta stick to the basics, one week at a time and that’s what’s gonna happen.”



As long as Joe Burrow is at the helm, no one should count the Bengals out. Last year they have gone further than predicted, but it seems that they have no plans of slowing down.

NFL News: Joe Mixon believes the Bengals have what it takes to return to the Super Bowl - thesportsdrops NEWS

NFL News: Joe Mixon believes the Bengals have what it takes to return to the Super Bowl

Despite Cincinnati couldn’t taste the ultimate glory, 2021 will live long in the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/how-many-nfl-teams-have-not-won-a-super-bowl-ring-in-their-history-97-20220502-SPD-97.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bengals</a>‘ memory. No, they couldn’t win <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/super-bowl-champions-list-of-all-time-winners-215-20220503-SPD-215.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Bowl LVI</a> against the Rams. But they made history along the way and started to create a new culture.



When the Bengals selected Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the team came from four straight losing seasons. Besides, it had the longest active drought without playoff wins in the league.



It took some time, but Joey Franchise eventually turned their fortunes. In 2021, the Bengals made the postseason for the first time since 2015, won their first playoff game in 31 years and also won their first road playoff game in history. However, Burrow admits that the team didn’t know what it took to become <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-ring-value-how-much-does-a-super-bowl-ring-cost-188-20220502-SPD-188.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">champions</a>.



<h2>Joe Burrow says Bengals have learned from Super Bowl loss</h2>



“Going into last year, we knew we were good, but I think going into the playoffs, we knew we could win but we weren’t really sure what it took,“ Burrow said, per ESPN. “We just went out there and played really hard and together as a team, and it worked out. Now, we know what it takes and we have that experience in our back pockets going forward.”



Heartbreaking as the Super Bowl loss might have been, this seems to be just the beginning of a new chapter in the Bengals history. Burrow has proven how far he can take this team and he has an entire career ahead of him to take them to the promised land in the future.

Cincinnati Bengals

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Bengals Look to Rebound with Return of Key Players

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NFL News: Joe Mixon believes the Bengals have what it takes to return to the Super Bowl

Joe Burrow says Bengals learned what it takes to win Super Bowl

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