Tee Higgins caught 7-of-9 targets for 2 TDs and snagged a 2-point conversion, but Cincinnati's defense surrendered 576 yards to the Bears in a wild 47-42 Week 9 loss. The Bengals produced 495 yards of offense, ran back the opening kick for a TD, and recovered an onside kick, but still found a way to lose. Higgins is now averaging 19.3 PPR points per game with Joe Flacco under center after averaging 8.2 PPG in Cincinnati's first six games.

Bengals QB Joe Flacco (shoulder) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Bears. He only got in a limited practice on Thursday, although HC Zac Taylor said Friday morning that he “saw what he hoped to see for a guy to be able to play on Sunday” in that Thursday practice. We’ll look for more updates on Flacco, but he’d come with elevated risk in fantasy lineups if he plays through this throwing shoulder injury. If not, Cincinnati will turn back to QB Jake Browning, who was horrible in three starts earlier this year.

Bengals QB Joe Flacco (shoulder) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. We'll see how that shoulder responds and what he's able to do tomorrow, but this is certainly a positive sign for Flacco's Week 9 availability. He'd carry elevated risk in fantasy lineups, but Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins owners should be hoping Flacco is able to play.

Bengals QB Joe Flacco (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday. "We'll see what we can potentially get out of him tomorrow," HC Zac Taylor said. "We'll just work through the week. I think right now it's probably at 50-50 on what will end up [happening] on Sunday." It sounds like we won't have a good idea about Flacco's status until late in the week, and potentially not until Sunday. If QB Jake Browning is forced back under center, WR Ja'Marr Chase would take a hit but remain a must-start. WR Tee Higgins would sink to WR3 territory in the Week 9 rankings.

Bengals QB Joe Flacco's status for Sunday's game vs. the Bears is "up in the air" due to the AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder he suffered in the Week 8 loss to the Jets, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. HC Zac Taylor labeled Flacco "day to day" earlier this week, so this doesn't seem like a serious injury. But we're talking about a 40-year-old QB with a bad throwing shoulder. It wouldn't be at all surprising if Flacco is unable to suit up on Sunday. His absence would force the Bengals to turn back to QB Jake Browning, who was terrible in three starts earlier this season. He'd be a significant downgrade for WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase dominated the Steelers on Thursday night, hauling in 16 of 23 targets for 161 yards and a score. The 16 catches set a new Bengals single-game record. The 23 targets were a career-high for Chase. This one was baffling from the Steelers side. The defense consistently left Chase singled up in man coverage, leading to easy completions on slants, crossers, and outs. Chase is awesome -- but it was simply too easy in this one. His TD came on one of his more difficult grabs of the night on a fade to the back left corner of the end zone. That came just one play after he failed to corral a pass in the paint. Chase also drew 14 and four-yard pass interference penalties on an overmatched Steelers secondary.

QB Joe Flacco's arrival sure didn't hurt Bengals WR Tee Higgins in Sunday's loss to the Packers. Higgins tied his season high with eight targets and reached personal bests for the year so far in receptions (5) and receiving yards (62). Of course, it also didn't hurt that Cincinnati attempted a season-high 45 passes.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase erupted for 14 catches, 165 yards, and 1 TD in a close Week 2 win over Jacksonville. Chase's 16 targets represented a 35.5% team share.

NFL Network reports that Bengals QB Joe Burrow is believed to have suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in the Week 2 win over the Bengals. If confirmed, Burrow will need surgery and miss "at least 3 months." ESPN's Adam Schefter adds that images of Burrow's toe are being sent to foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson before a final decision is made.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been moving WR Tee Higgins into the slot more this offseason, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

The Bengals have agreed to four-year deals with WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, according to multiple reports. Chase gets $161 million over four years, making him the highest-paid non-QB in the league. Higgins gets a $28.75 million annual average that ranks ninth among current WR contracts.

The Bengals have applied the franchise tag to WR Tee Higgins for the second straight season, according to multiple sources. That'll keep Higgins from hitting free agency and lock him into at least a one-year deal that would pay about $26 million. Cincinnati can afford to fit that number under the 2025 salary cap, according to Spotrac's numbers. But the Bengals would likely prefer to work out a longer-term deal with the 26-year-old.

The Bengals plan on placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on WR Tee Higgins, according to Sports Illustrated's James Rapien. The non-exclusive tag allows other teams to negotiate with Higgins. But the Bengals would have the right to match any offer -- and would receive two first-round picks from the acquiring team if Higgins leaves. In other words, Higgins is a heavy favorite to be in Cincinnati in 2025. Rapien adds that the Bengals "plan" to sign Higgins to a long-term deal.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (ankle, knee) is active for tonight’s game vs. the Steelers. He played through these issues last week, smoking the Broncos for 131 yards and three TDs. Get him into fantasy lineups.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Bengals WR Tee Higgins is expected to play tonight against the Steelers. That's been our expectation as well after Higgins played through a questionable tag for the same issue last week. Barring some pregame setback, Higgins should be a good fantasy play for Week 18 lineups.