Who Should I Start? Mike Gesicki or Tee Higgins

Tuesday, November 25, 3:03 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki returned from a five-week absence to record season-highs in targets, receptions, and yards in a Week 12 loss to the Patriots. While his final stat line of four receptions for 35 yards was only good enough for TE16 on the week, it was clear early on Sunday that the Bengals had a plan to feature their athletic tight end in a game that All-Pro receiver Ja'Marr Chase missed due to suspension. Heading into a Week 13 Thanksgiving matchup with the Ravens, receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) has already been ruled out, giving Gesicki another opportunity for an increased workload. With quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) in line to return this week, it should also be noted that Gesicki's three redzone targets in Burrow's two starts this year are tied with Chase for the team lead. Gesicki is RotoBaller's TE19 this Week, but he offers enough upside to make him a matchup-dependent streaming candidate.

Monday, November 24, 1:24 PM

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday that wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) has been ruled out for the Week 13 game this Thursday on Thanksgiving Day against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Higgins is in the league's concussion protocol after coming down hard on his head on the team's final drive of the game in Sunday's Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots, and on a short week, he will not have enough time to clear the protocol. It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will gain clearance to play in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 7. The good news for Cincy's offense is that quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) is expected to play for the first time since Week 2, and they will also be getting top wideout Ja'Marr Chase back from a one-game suspension. With Higgins out, though, Andrei Iosivas will be in line for an expanded role for a second straight week.