Is Tee Higgins Injured or Playing in Week 2? Should I Start Andrei Iosivas For Fantasy Football?

In Week 2, fantasy football managers anxiously await updates on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that occurred the week before the season opener.

With a key matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs looming, Higgins' status could significantly impact fantasy lineups. If Higgins cannot suit up, should you consider second-year wideout Andrei Iosivas as a potential fill-in?

In this article, we'll break down Higgins' injury, his chances of playing, and whether Iosivas is worth a start in deeper leagues. Let's dive in!

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday and was again spotted in street clothes on Thursday, signaling another missed session. This marks his third consecutive absence from official team practices.

Tee Higgins walks into Thursday’s practice - not in uniform.#Bengals | @WLWT pic.twitter.com/H5oonSlQ6C

— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) September 12, 2024

Higgins has been considered doubtful for Week 2 since early in the week, and his status doesn't appear to improve.

The Bengals offense struggled noticeably without him in their Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots. The team will most likely approach Higgins with caution, as a hamstring injury can linger throughout the season.

If Higgins can't get at least one limited practice this week, fantasy managers should plan to look otherwise at the wide receiver spot.

With Tee Higgins likely sidelined in Week 2, Bengals second-year wideout Andrei Iosivas presents a sneaky upside play for fantasy managers. Last week, with Higgins out, Iosivas saw increased involvement in the offense, recording three catches on five targets for 26 yards.

“The Bengals and myself, are really high on sophomore Andrei Iosivas”@notJDaigle breaks down why he loves the @PrincetonFTBL grad on the fantasy waiver wire this week: pic.twitter.com/7ZnnuY9r4a

— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) September 7, 2024

While his stat line wasn’t eye-popping, the target share suggests that quarterback Joe Burrow trusts him to step up when needed.

Facing the high-powered Chiefs, the Bengals may need to rely heavily on their passing attack to keep up, allowing Iosivas to see more targets and potentially have a breakout performance in Week 2. If you’re in a deeper league or dealing with injuries, Iosivas is worth considering as a flex option if Higgins cannot play this week.