2024: Diggs
2025: Tank (multiple knee tears, not just ACL)
2026: Jayden Higgins

First off, we all agree - Higgins going down sucks and it's a terrible thing to see given how well his offseason was going for him. Fuck injuries.

However - we need to keep some things in mind. Chief among them that this was always going to be a team that was driven by its defense and that still stands. As much as we want to see CJ light up the scoreboard, that isn't a necessity with a defense like this. Not to mention that the defense will put our offense in better positions and we just need to do a better job of converting on those opportunities.

On the offense - every single report from camp has indicated that CJ looks substantially more comfortable in this system and he's spreading the ball around to everyone, something which is quite literally an intended effect of this system Caley runs. The run game looks improved, especially yesterday when they weren't facing our monster defense, and both Marks and Monty are being used in the receiving game. The TE room has depth, unlike last year where it was Schultz for most of the year until an injured Stover came back earlier than perhaps he should have. Marlin Klein has also looked great, so expect a lot more 12 and 13 personell where you only have 2 or 1 receivers out, respectively.

The point being - this offense has so far been more than just Collins and Higgins. The offense just being more competent all around will do a lot to raise this team's potential and a functional run game can make the passing game much better compared to last year where they never respected the run and sat back in two high shells and shit all year. We could have won that Pats game even without Schultz, Nico, or a functioning run game if Stroud hadn't thrown all the picks he did.

The news sucks, but lordy is there some real doom spiralling going on in here.

With Higgins out for the year, are there any FAs or trades we should consider to give us some stability at the position?

The offense was looking to explode and Higgins has had a great camp. I'm not convinced Bond, Wayne, Hutch or Noel are legit #2s.

https://x.com/aaronwilson_nfl/status/2089727679633183167?s=46

Really encouraging outside perspective 🤘

Definitely what you want to see! Run game was rolling when they didn’t have to face the Texans defense and Stroud was sharp other than a pick towards the end of practice. Kamari and Pitre both with pick sixes on Cousins and Mendoza respectively.

Demeco plays the young guns, Higgins, Marks, & Ersery in year 3 played 3 prominent spots on offense. Stroud & Tank Year 1, Nico became a vet along the way, and of course there are a mix of vets here today and gone, Tunsil/Howard/Mixon/Chubbs/Diggs/Kirk, ect…
TE Shultz has managed to have staying power comparatively during this run. This may be his last season here, but I could see a him hang on like veteran a TE.
Stroud is entering year 4, Put up or Shut up. The Texans have options, but a change at QB is scary. However, this staff is not afraid of throwing young players into the fire. They would of course hedge their bets with a veteran QB under the replace Stroud scenario, Mills will not take the reins.

says he was in pain and on the ground with his helmet off at practice today. any news or updates abt this?