Analysis

Higgins was deemed a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through, so he'll likely need to practice fully Thursday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Saturday night's game against the Steelers. That said, with playoff slotting on the line, we fully expect Higgins (who put up an 11/131/3 receiving line in Week 17 versus Denver) to be available this weekend.

Analysis

Cincinnati listed Higgins as a limited participant in all three of its Week 17 practices due to the same pair of injuries before deeming him questionable for this past Saturday's game against the Bengals. He proceeded to suit up and delivered a career-best performance, playing 62 of 90 snaps on offense while finishing with 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns on 12 targets in the Bengals' 30-24 overtime win. Assuming he escaped from that game with no setbacks, Higgins' limitations to begin Week 18 prep were likely just maintenance-related. He's expected to be cleared to play against the Steelers this Saturday as the Bengals look to chase down a playoff berth with a win plus Broncos and Dolphins losses Sunday.

Analysis

Higgins played the hero in Saturday's win, leading the team in receptions and yards while also being on the receiving end of all three of Joe Burrow's passing scores. The lone negative to his performance came late in the fourth quarter, when he fumbled to end a potential game-winning drive for the Bengals abruptly. However, Higgins quickly erased that error with a 31-yard catch to set up his own walk-off touchdown in overtime. The performance was both his second 100-yard and multi-touchdown showing of the campaign.

Analysis

Higgins, who was listed as limited on all three of the Bengals' practice reports this week, subsequently approached the contest listed as questionable. With his availability versus Denver confirmed, Higgins is slated to maintain his key role in the Bengals passing offense alongside fellow starting wideout Ja'Marr Chase, a role that has led to Higgins recording a fantasy-worthy 58/727/7 receiving line (on 92 targets) in 10 games this season.

Analysis

In addition to Rapoport's report, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com relayed Friday that there was optimism regarding Higgins' status for the Bengals' must-win game. After being listed as limited on all three practice reports this week, the wideout headed into the weekend with a 'questionable' designation. Official confirmation of Higgins' Week 17 status, either way, will arrive when Cincinnati's inactives are posted ahead of the team's 4:30 ET kickoff.

Analysis

Higgins has dealt with a multitude of nagging injuries this season, but it seems to be trending toward him not missing any time with this latest issue. He had his ankle tweaked underneath him last Sunday against the Browns, but he was able to return and got in a round of limited practices this week. Saturday's matchup with the Broncos is as close to a must-win game as possible for both teams, so there's a lot riding on Higgins' availability.

Analysis

Higgins maintained a limited listing on all three of the Bengals' practice reports this week, but given his official questionable designation, the wideout's Week 17 status will need to be verified ahead of Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET contest. If Higgins ends up limited or out versus Denver, added opportunities alongside top WR Ja'Marr Chase would be available for Andrei Iosivas and Jermaine Burton.

Analysis

Higgins previously appeared on the Week 16 injury report with the knee issue, but he entered this past Sunday's 24-6 win over the Browns without a designation and finished with eight receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. He's now managing an ankle injury is addition to the lingering knee concern in Week 17, but the fact that he was on the field in some capacity Tuesday is a good sign he'll be ready to go for Saturday's game against the Broncos.

Analysis

Higgins led the Bengals in catches and targets while checking in second in receiving yards. The talented receiver also recorded his seventh touchdown of the season -- and his fifth in the last five games -- on a two-yard grab that opened the scoring just past the midway point of the first quarter. Higgins has at least five catches and Sunday's yardage tally in eight of the last nine games heading into a tough home matchup against the Broncos on Saturday afternoon.