With around six minutes left in Week 3’s game against the Detroit Lions, Trey McBride caught a four-yard pass over the middle of the field and turned upfield for another five yards. Unfortunately, both he and the defender put their heads down at the time of impact, resulting in a helmet-to-helmet blow.
McBride exited the game, entered the concussion protocol and did not practice on Wednesday.
The NFL concussion protocol entails five steps, with each one taking 24 hours. If the fourth step isn’t passed by Thursday for a Sunday game, then a player is usually not cleared to pay. A player must be a full participant during Friday’s practice with no setbacks.
If McBride is not cleared, is Elijah Higgins a viable option in Week 4?
Higgins replaced McBride in Week 3, ran seven routes and caught one pass for 11 yards. On the season, he has played in 41%, 55% and 32% of the snaps, but has received only four targets.
Higgins played wide receiver at Stanford. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds, had a 22.4% college dominator score and was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he was converted into a tight end when he arrived in the pros.
The Week 4 matchup against the Washington Commanders is a good one for the Cardinals aerial attack, as the Commanders have allowed a Pass EPA of 48.1, the most by a wide margin. For perspective, only four teams have a double-digit number. The Commanders have only allowed nine receptions for 74 yards to tight ends, though.
The tight end position has been a barren wasteland this season, and Higgins is only $3,100—but, targets have to be earned and Marvin Harrison Jr., Greg Dortch and Michael Wilson are ahead on the totem pole. In addition, the tight ends have combined for two red-zone looks on the season.
There’s little risk and a chance for a touchdown from Higgins, which is all you can ask for when dumpster diving for tight ends. That said, keep expectations in check and don’t tilt your face off if he ends up with two receptions for 23 yards.
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