Why Tee Higgins' Offseason Shoulder Surgery Could Be A Preface To Breakout 2022 Season

Tee Higgins - SIC Score 94

After a surprising run to Super Bowl LVI with the Bengals, third-year wide receiver Tee Higgins reportedly underwent shoulder surgery this offseason to repair a torn left labrum. 

Higgins suffered the shoulder injury early in the 2021 season and, after missing two weeks, put together his first 1,000-yard season capped by a 75-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl. 

The 23-year-old receiver should have no medical carry-over into the 2022 season, according to the ProFootballDocs, and could actually be in line for a more explosive season after the offseason surgery.

Higgins will carry an SIC health score of 94 into training camp in late July.

Reports of his March shoulder surgery didn't leak out until mid-April after he was spotted donning a sling at the Cincinnati Reds' home opener. 

Based on our in-season analysis and corroborated by Higgins’ offseason arm sling he likely suffered a posterior labrum tear, which doesn't hamper the repetitive actions receivers make with their upper bodies. 

Before missing weeks 3 and 4 Higgins actually returned to the contest against the Steelers after suffering the tear and scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Surgeries are not always bad news and are often done to ease pain and repair lingering issues that players inevitably pick up during the season. 

Even encumbered by a shoulder ailment Higgins caught 92 passes for 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns across 18 regular season and playoff games in 2021. 

It is safe to expect an even better season from the emerging wideout next season with a clean bill of health, added confidence from the Super Bowl run, and yeat another year under his belt playing next to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tyler Boyd.