For the first time in, oh, about two weeks, wide receiver Tee Higgins had that billboard smile that has endeared him to the Bengals faithful.
He is thinking about the collective Paycor Stadium "Tee—eeee—ee," he hopes salutes each of his first catches of 2024 when the Bengals play Monday night (8:15-Cincinnati's Channel 9) against the Commanders.
"You hear it," said Higgins after Friday's practice. "It's like you can't even zone that out. It's a good feeling because obviously when they say it, I did something good."
Higgins hasn't been doing anything after he tweaked his hamstring the Thursday before the opener and he has been limited in the practices this week. But on Friday he cleared himself for Monday.
"That's my plan," Higgins said. "Practice went really well. Got in a lot of plays, so I felt good out there and I'm ready to go."
After losing four games to a hamstring injury last season, Higgins had a plan for this one: "They say when you feel ready to come back, take another week."
So while Higgins felt good in Kansas City during his rehab before last Sunday's game, he gave it eight more days.
"That's why I was so bummed out that it happened because it was something I focused on this offseason for it not to happen," Higgins said. "And it did, but I'm back now so it's cool."
Also cool is that torrid training camp Higgins enjoyed with quarterback Joe Burrow. He says their timing is still there.
"Just keep building off what I left off on," Higgins said. "I've still got that chemistry down with Joe. Today at practice it felt good out there. It wasn't a step back, so just keep going."
JOLLY JA'MARR: The next happiest guy in the room is Higgins' receiver running mate Ja'Marr Chase. In his 14 career 100-yard games, Higgins has played in 12 of them.
"(Fewer) double-teams," Chase said of Higgins' return.
Chase calculates he's faced more double teams in the first two games of this season than in the last four games of 2023. He's banking on the attention Higgins receives to free him for his second explosive play of the season and more. He's got one catch of 25 yards or longer (a 28-yarder in the opener) and no touchdowns.
What he would like to do is replicate his outing a year ago in the Monday Night Ring of Honor Game. He had 12 catches for 141 yards to fuel a 19-16 win over the Rams and his 43-yarder broke it open. The man who came into this season with nine touchdown catches of at least 50 yards to lead everyone since 2021 is itching for another big one.
"We need that more like early in the game, like to get the blood pumping early. I feel like," Chase said of the long strikes.
He won't be picky. A YAC or a bomb.
"It doesn't really matter," Chase said. "As long as (the play) equals up to like 25 yards. It doesn't matter if you're going deeper or making a hitch and taking it 25. So it doesn't really matter, as long as it's explosive."
Chase said what helps is that he and Higgins are in their first week of practicing together. That happened less than a handful of times in the preseason.
"We've got to take advantage of the moments that we get (practicing as an intact group) in front of us right now," Chase said.
"I'm just ready to make the big play, that one big play that's going to give me all my confidence, the team's confidence, coaches' confidence, and everyone is going to feel good … It's been good just knowing (Higgins is) back, having him with good energy and just having the boys back out there. That's all it is. Feels good again."
Chase feels good enough that he says he's got a touchdown celebration planned that's not "The Griddy." Although he expects tight end Mike Gesicki to break it out if he scores.
He seems relieved he's talking about Monday and not last Sunday, when he got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter. Although he made it clear he'll appeal a potential fine.
"I can't stay here and think about Sunday anymore," Chase said. "After Sunday is over with, it's Monday. So I've got to start the new week."
INJURY UPDATE: In four seasons with the Bengals, safety Vonn Bell has never missed a game. After missing Friday's practice with a back issue, his status was in question. He did go limited Thursday.
Sophomore Jordan Battle is listed as Bell's backup and he did start the second half of last season. Rookie safety Daijahn Anthony has played in the dime package. In a pinch, there's also Dax Hill, who took more than 1,000 snaps at safety last year, but they love what he's doing as a starting cornerback.
It looks like the Bengals are going to play Monday night the way they ended Sunday's game. Depleted on the defensive line. Starting defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins have yet to practice this week with hamstring injuries.
After playing a combined 77 snaps last Sunday, look for Zach Carter and Jay Tufele to play a ton again. This time they should get some relief from 14-year veteran Lawrence Guy who signed Tuesday. He probably can't give them much since he didn't have training camp, but it's going to be a lift whatever it is. Left end Sam Hubbard, who dipped into tackle for batches of the game Sunday, and practice squad promotions could also be on the table.
It's unclear if rookie D-Tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. is an option to make his NFL debut Monday. He has been limited with a club after having thumb surgery a few weeks ago.
Gesicki ( calf) was limited again Friday, as was rookie right tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral). Tight end Tanner Huson (knee) has yet to practice since missing last Sunday's game.
