ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported T-shirt Higgins is “optimistic” that he will play for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Denver Broncos on Saturday.

He has struggled with knee and ankle problems but has played regularly over the last month. So he should be ready to go as the Bengals try to keep their playoff hopes alive.

It was questionable whether he could play on Saturday.

“Tee Higgins is optimistic that he will play,” Fowler continued Sports center. “The Bengals expect him to play after a productive week of practice. Has been limited all week but I’m told from the source he’s been getting better day by day with his knee and ankle problems, nothing major but just something he’s had to battle with. He’s been a little inconsistent all year, but he’s one of the top three agents in 2025, he can make even more money in these final games… Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins should be ready to field this 30 Points. Little playoff hopes, still alive, Higgins will be out there.”

Higgins had eight catches for 58 yards and a touchdown in a 24-6 win over the Cleveland Browns last week. Overall this season, he has 58 catches for 727 yards, seven touchdowns and 12.5 yards per catch.

Higgins could make a lot of money in the offseason, as Fowler suggested. He will play the 2024 season under the franchise tag.

Higgins is guaranteed to make $21.816 million this year. The NFL sets these salaries in advance and they are based on the average of the top five salaries at the position or 120 percent of the player’s previous salary, whichever is greater.

Playing today could help the Bengals make the playoffs with two games left. So with Higgins in the lineup, Cincinnati certainly has a chance to beat Denver.

But for the Bengals to advance to the AFC round, they must win, including a win over Denver, the Broncos must lose next week and suffer a loss each to the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins.

Probably? Not so much. A possibility? Clear. But it starts with Higgins and the Bengals putting up big numbers to defeat a young and hungry Broncos team on Saturday.