Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals says he hopes to return to the lineup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night.
Higgins has missed the Bengals’ last three games after suffering a hamstring injury in practice on Nov. 8.
Due to a rib fracture, Higgins also missed the Bengals’ Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Higgins has underwhelmed thus far in his contract year. In seven games, he has 328 receiving yards on 27 receptions with two touchdowns due to injuries.
Higgins and the Bengals were unable to reach an agreement on an extension after re-signing quarterback Joe Burrow and linebacker Logan Wilson in the offseason. Despite an unclear future, the Clemson product is refusing to let his contract status influence when he returns to the field.
The 5-6 Bengals are in last place in the AFC North and have lost three straight games. Burrow is done for the season, and Jake Browning has taken over at quarterback, and he’s happy to have an offensive weapon back.
Keenan Allen remains out of practice with quad injury
The Chargers may be without their top receiver when they face the Patriots this weekend after only two days of practice.
Keenan Allen (quad) did not officially participate in his second practice in a row.
Several Chargers beat writers observed Allen working with the training staff off to the side during the portion of the session open to the media.
Allen has caught 97 catches for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games this season. If he is unable to play, it will be a big setback to the Los Angeles offense, since Austin Ekeler is second with 29 catches and Josh Palmer — who is on injured reserve — is second with 377 receiving yards.
Tight end Nick Vannett (concussion) remained a non-participant, while offensive lineman Zack Bailey (back) was downgraded to DNP. Ja’Sir Taylor (illness) was added to the injury report as a DNP.
Rashawn Slater (back) was promoted from limited to fullback. Trey Pipkins (wrist) stayed out with an injury. Safety JT Woods (sickness) remained on the reserve/non-football illness list.
Tight end Gerald Everett (shoulder), receiver Quentin Johnston (ribs/finger), linebacker Eric Kendricks (knee), linebacker Kenneth Murray (shoulder), and defensive lineman Otto Ogbonnia (knee) all stayed on the injured list.
The point spread for the San Francisco 49ers-Philadelphia Eagles game may have surprised casual gamblers.
An underdog is a 10-1 Eagles club playing at home and in relatively good shape. And the line has continued to travel in the direction of San Francisco. At BetMGM, the 49ers are a full 3-point favorite.
That is, indeed, extremely rare. According to CBS Sports, the Eagles are the only 10-win team with a healthy, active quarterback to be a home underdog since at least 1970. Great teams have been underdogs in season finales when starters have been rested. But not in this case.
Veteran bettors understand why the line exists.
Everyone who follows the NFL is familiar with the Eagles’ storyline. They have a tremendous track record and are walking a tightrope. They seem to go behind in every game and come back to win. In close games and while trailing by multiple digits, they have an unsustainable record. Because they catch every green light, it’s a good team with a great record.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are looking fantastic. You can’t just say, “Hey, if you ignore their three-game losing streak…” because it happened. If you overlook that strange losing run, we’re talking about the one excellent club in an otherwise mediocre season.
Simply put, if you’ve watched every game this season,
