Has Tee Higgins "checked out"?

[Whatever]

(09-26-2023, 12:10 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Tee was the #1 WR here his rookie year.  He caught over 60% of balls he was targeted with, which is why I call his effort and focus into question this season.

I don't feel it's an effort issue and I'm far from a Higgins Stan.

We have to remember how Tee disappeared after Burrow went down his rookie year, and that was used as an excuse for him not hitting 1000 yards.  

The biggest special quality Burrow has is his ball placement.  The guy has the ability to just put the ball in spots where his receivers can get it, but the defender can't.  Unfortunately, Joe has an injury that's affected his mechanics and he can't place the ball like he normally does.  That means a guy like Higgins, who struggles to separate even in single coverage against #2 CB's, is going to struggle.  Joe can't just squeeze them into him, anymore.  

His production will improve as Joe heals, but he's an issue right now with the offense.  He has only 10 catches for 110 yards on 28 targets through 3 games, a 35.7% catch %.  Almost all of the production he has had was against a decimated Ravens secondary.  It really feels like Joe is forcing it to him, and that's hurting the offense a lot.