TeeHiggins

News: 2 hours agoHiggins (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Spin: Higgins didn't show any notable signs of injury during his post-practice locker room availability, per Dehner, but it looks like a hamstring issue is at least slightly bothering him ahead of Sunday's regular-season opener against the Patriots. Then again, with Ja'Marr Chase still limited amid an ongoing contract dispute, the Bengals could simply be taking a cautious approach to the health of Higgins ahead of Week 1 action. Friday's final practice/injury report of the week will reveal whether he heads into the weekend with a designation.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Higgins is back -- on the franchise tag -- for his fifth pro season with the Bengals. In 12 games played last season, Higgins averaged 11.5 fantasy PPG, but was inconsistent, scoring 22 or more points three times but below 10 points on seven occasions. Higgins will remain unpredictable at times as the secondary target behind Ja'Marr Chase, but he has ability to win on the boundary or as a seam stretcher from the slot. Having a healthy Joe Burrow back on the field for this high-powered offense puts Higgins in the mid-tier flex range, with WR2 upside.