Hamilton County recently proposed plans for a $1.25 billion renovation to the Bengals’ home, Paycor Stadium, and practice facilities. For now, though, fans are allowed to talk to players as they enter practice.
One of those fans had a quick but interesting conversation with Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins this week.
“Hey, Tee. We’re 1-2 in fantasy this week, Bro. I’m starting you. I need you locked in. I got you!” the fan told Higgins.
“You might as well bench me,” replied Higgins, walking to practice.
How much Higgins is involved in Zac Taylor’s gameplan when Cincinnati (0-3) visits Carolina (1-2) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, FOX) has both short-term and long-term implications.
In the short term, Higgins might not be happy with the targets he received after returning from a hamstring injury for Cincinnati’s Monday night loss to Washington last week. He played most of the game, catching three passes for 39 yards, and was Joe Burrow’s target once in the end zone and on a failed two-point conversion.
In the long-term, HIggins is playing on Cincinnati’s $21.8 million franchise tag this season. Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said this week he would be watching closely to see how the Bengals approach the contract situations of Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
And speaking of former Bengals quarterbacks, Andy Dalton on Sunday faces the team that drafted him in 2011. In last week’s win at Las Vegas, Dalton authored a major franchise U-turn and, with another win this week against Cincinnati, could have the Panthers in first place.