Higgins is not expected to sign his franchise tender by the end of the week, which will make him ineligible to report in time for the start of OTAs next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Higgins formally requested a trade from Cincinnati after the team placed the franchise tag on him prior to free agency. He appeared to have a change of heart in April, as the wideout hinted that he anticipated playing for the Bengals in 2024 at his youth camp, per Ben Baby of ESPN.com. It remains to be seen if that will occur via the franchise tag or the long-term extension the pass catcher has been seeking. As of now, it looks like this conflict will linger into OTAs.
Heavy on Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals news & information.
Unlock the latest Cincinnati Bengals news — direct to your inbox.
Cincinnati Bengals
AFC North
(9-8, 4th place)
Latest Bengals News Alerts
More from Heavy on Bengals
![Bengals QB Joe Burrow Returns to Field for 1st Time in 6 Months [LOOK]](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1799050717-e1715021232897.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=425)
More from Heavy on Bengals
Bengals schedule 2023
Bengals team stats 2023
-
passing yards
2309rushing yards
1034receiving yards
1216tackles
78interceptions
4Passing
name GP CMP ATT CMP% YDS YDS/G TD INT SACK SYL RTG T. Hudson,TE12000.0%00.000140.0J. Burrow,QB1024436566.8%2,309230.91562418091.0T. Boyd,WR17010.0%00.001000.0A. McCarron,QB24580.0%199.5001982.5J. Browning,QB917124370.4%1,936215.11272416998.4J. Chase,WR1611100.0%-7-0.4000079.2Rushing
name GP CAR YDS AVG LNG YDS/G TD FUM LST FD J. Burrow,QB1031882.8208.80269T. Williams,RB1715694.6154.10032T. Boyd,WR172115.560.60001J. Mixon,RB172571,0344.04460.8904759C. Jones,WR112136.571.20001C. Brown,RB12441794.13114.901256J. Browning,QB9271274.72114.133012C. Evans,RB82126.071.50000J. Chase,WR163-6-2.02-0.40180Receiving
name GP REC TGTS YDS AVG TD LNG YDS/G YAC FD D. Sample,TE17222716372229.6173.09T. Hudson,TE123950352912629.3148.021A. Iosivas,WR16152511684167.335.011K. Lassiter II,WR11122022.03.00T. Williams,RB1779101050.635.00S. Jackson,WR50100000.00.00T. Boyd,WR1767986671026439.2279.028J. Mixon,RB175264376734522.1463.014T. Higgins,WR1242766561658054.7235.033M. Wilcox,TE179125660123.348.02C. Jones,WR11796490355.838.03C. Brown,RB1214151561115413.0194.04I. Smith,TE12182611561149.666.05T. Irwin,WR1625323161313219.8110.015J. Browning,QB911-7-707-0.80.00C. Evans,RB811-1-101-0.10.00J. Chase,WR161001451,2161277676.0541.063Defense
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumblesname GP SOLO AST TOTAL SACK SCKYDS TFL PD INT TD FF FR FTD L. Wilson, LB17 78 57 135 1 0 5 9 4 0 0 0 0 G. Pratt, LB17 63 55 118 2 11.5 7 3 2 0 0 0 0 D. Hill, CB17 72 38 110 1.5 12 6 11 2 0 0 0 0 M. Hilton, CB17 64 20 84 2 2 12 8 2 0 0 1 0 J. Battle, SAF17 43 26 69 2 12 4 5 1 0 0 0 0 S. Hubbard, DE15 38 20 58 6 38 7 0 0 0 0 2 0 C. Awuzie, CB15 43 14 57 0 0 2 6 0 0 0 1 0 N. Scott, SAF17 35 21 56 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 B. Hill, DT17 26 25 51 4.5 27 2 5 2 0 0 1 0 D. Turner II, CB17 40 10 50 1 5 2 7 0 0 0 1 0 C. Taylor-Britt, CB12 40 10 50 0 0 1 11 4 0 0 0 0 T. Hendrickson, DE17 28 15 43 17.5 121.5 16 3 0 0 0 0 0 D. Reader, DL14 20 14 34 1 9 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 C. Sample, DE17 18 11 29 1.5 9 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Z. Carter, DT17 8 15 23 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 M. Murphy, DE17 10 10 20 3 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Tupou, DT14 8 11 19 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Davis-Gaither, LB13 10 6 16 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Tufele, DT10 4 7 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Ossai, DE14 6 4 10 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 J. Davis, CB16 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 M. Bailey, LB17 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S. Jones IV, CB3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Ivey, CB8 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 J. Bachie, LB16 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Harper, LB6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Sample, TE17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T. Hudson, TE12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Burrow, QB10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Iosivas, WR16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T. Williams, RB17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S. Jackson, WR5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B. Robbins, P17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T. Anderson, SAF7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T. Boyd, WR17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O. Brown Jr., T17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Adomitis, LS17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Volson, G17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Wilcox, TE17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Brown, RB12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I. Smith, TE12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T. Irwin, WR16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Evans, RB8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Chase, WR16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bengals Depth Chart
Bengals Injury Report
Higgins is not expected to sign his franchise tender by the end of the week, which will make him ineligible to report in time for the start of OTAs next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Higgins formally requested a trade from Cincinnati after the team placed the franchise tag on him prior to free agency. He appeared to have a change of heart in April, as the wideout hinted that he anticipated playing for the Bengals in 2024 at his youth camp, per Ben Baby of ESPN.com. It remains to be seen if that will occur via the franchise tag or the long-term extension the pass catcher has been seeking. As of now, it looks like this conflict will linger into OTAs.
Hendrickson is participating in the Bengals' offseason workouts despite requesting a trade in late April, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Hendrickson is under contract for the next two seasons and he's set to make $15 million in 2024, but he's unhappy with the lack of long-term security that Cincinnati has been willing to offer. The 29-year-old edge rusher is coming off the most productive season of his career, putting up 43 total tackles, including a career-best 16 tackles for loss and an additional 1.5 sacks. With Hendrickson participating in the Bengals' offseason workouts, he's expected to continue wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks in 2024, whether that's in Cincinnati or elsewhere.
The Bengals signed Collins as an undrafted free agent Monday. Collins joins a backfield in need of quality depth options after the departure of Joe Mixon, where Zack Moss and Chase Brown currently stand atop the depth chart. He played a depth role at OSU after transferring from Michigan State, where he spent the first five seasons of his collegiate career.
Burrow (wrist), who has resumed throwing, indicated Tuesday that he's fully cleared to do everything that doesn't involve contact, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Burrow, who is bouncing back from a procedure to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, started throwing again in April, noting that at this stage his focus is on mechanics like his footwork and arm path, as well as the "little intricacies of the throwing motion." While it remains to be seen when he'll be cleared for contact, Ben Baby of ESPN relays that the Bengals' franchise signal-caller feels as though he's "in a good spot" in his recovery process, and there's nothing to suggest that Burrow won't be ready to go well ahead of Week 1.
Burrow (wrist) was on the field throwing at the Bengals' facility Monday. Burrow's season ended 27 snaps into Week 11 last season, after which he required surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right (throwing) wrist. Earlier in the offseason, he stated that he expected to be fully cleared by mid-May, and it appears he's on track. Burrow should be all systems go well in time for training camp later this summer. His weaponry has gone a bit of an overhaul, with Joe Mixon, Tyler Boyd and Irv Smith jettisoned. Veterans Zack Moss and Mike Gesicki were signed as free agents to go along with returnees Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Brown appears primed to work as the top backup to Zack Moss following the 2024 NFL Draft, Paul Dehner of The Athletic reports. The Bengals didn't select a single running back across 10 picks in this year's draft, so even if the team brings in a handful of talented UDFAs, Brown looks like a notable winner for fantasy purposes. He flashed across 12 appearances as a rookie last season, and while Moss' experience with a large workload and on third downs may make him the favorite for the No. 1 role, Brown's short-area burst could make him an effective complementary option. If Brown can put together a solid offseason and push for increased touches, he could be an interesting late-round sleeper in 2024 drafts.
Moss retains his position atop the Bengals' backfield depth chart following the 2024 NFL Draft, Paul Dehner of The Athletic reports. Moss inked with Cincinnati as a free agent back in March, and though the team will certainly add some UDFAs to the mix, he has to be considered a huge winner for fantasy after the Bengals opted not to spend a single draft pick on the running back position. Coming off a breakout season with the Colts, Moss looks primed for a high-volume role considering his experience between the tackles and on third downs, while Chase Brown could act as a more explosive complement out of the backfield. Both could be intriguing fantasy sleepers in 2024 drafts.
Hill is expected to be a part of the Bengals' cornerback room in 2024, Jay Morrison of ProFootballNetwork.com reports. Hill spent his sophomore campaign operating as a starting safety for the Bengals, recording 110 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, while also intercepting two passes and deflecting 11 others over 17 contests. Head coach Zac Taylor said Sunday that Hill will "be in the cornerback room" this year, which could mean a position change is in store. The team signed former Raven Geno Stone this offseason and could replace Hill at safety in 2024.