Tee Higgins' Concussion Timeline Monitored for the Cincinnati Bengals

In the high-stakes late-season push for a playoff spot, the Cincinnati Bengals are navigating a critical health concern: wide receiver Tee Higgins’ concussion and the careful timeline of his recovery. Concussions remain one of the most closely monitored injuries in the NFL, with strict league protocols designed to protect players from long-term harm—even as teams balance urgency to win with player safety. For the Bengals, Higgins’ absence creates a gap in their star-studded passing attack, making every step of his recovery timeline a key factor in their postseason hopes. Tee Higgins' Concussion Timeline Monitored for the Cincinnati Bengals breaks down the injury’s onset, the NFL’s concussion protocol stages, the Bengals’ medical team’s approach, and the potential impact of his return (or extended absence) on the team’s stretch run.

Tee Higgins' Concussion Timeline Monitored for the Cincinnati Bengals begins with the injury’s occurrence during the Bengals’ Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills—a critical game with playoff seeding on the line. Late in the second quarter, Higgins jumped to catch a 15-yard pass from Joe Burrow, colliding with Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White mid-air. Both players fell to the turf, with White’s shoulder making contact with Higgins’ helmet. Higgins remained on the field for several minutes, holding his head and appearing disoriented, before being helped to the sideline by the Bengals’ medical staff. He was immediately entered into the NFL’s concussion protocol, ruled out for the remainder of the game, and did not return to the sidelines in the second half. Post-game, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed the concussion diagnosis but provided no timeline for Higgins’ return, emphasizing the team’s commitment to following league protocols. “Player safety is our top priority—we won’t rush Tee back,” Taylor said. “We’ll let the medical team guide this process, and we’ll take it one day at a time.” The injury was a blow to the Bengals’ offense, which relied on Higgins to complement Ja’Marr Chase; in the Bills game, his replacement, Trenton Irwin, finished with just two catches for 18 yards.

Tee Higgins' Concussion Timeline Monitored for the Cincinnati Bengals delves into the early stages of the NFL’s concussion protocol, which Higgins began the day after the Bills game (Monday of Week 17). The protocol consists of five mandatory stages, starting with “rest and recovery”—a phase where Higgins was restricted from physical activity, required to avoid screens (to reduce eye strain), and monitored for symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or sensitivity to light. The Bengals’ medical team, led by head athletic trainer Paul Sparling, checked in with Higgins three times daily to assess his symptom severity, using a standardized checklist to track progress. By Tuesday, Higgins reported mild headaches but no dizziness—a positive sign that allowed him to move to Stage 2: “light aerobic activity.” This stage included 20 minutes of walking on a treadmill and gentle stretching, with no contact or football-specific movements. Sparling noted that Higgins “tolerated Stage 2 well” and showed no return of symptoms, which cleared the way for Stage 3 on Thursday: “football-specific activity without contact.” During this phase, Higgins joined the team for walkthroughs, practiced route-running at half-speed, and caught passes from backup quarterbacks—all while wearing a non-contact jersey to avoid accidental hits. “We’re encouraged by how quickly Tee is progressing, but we’re not cutting any corners,” Sparling said. “Every stage requires clearance from both our staff and an independent neurological consultant, so we’ll only move forward if he’s 100% symptom-free.”

Tee Higgins' Concussion Timeline Monitored for the Cincinnati Bengals examines how the Cincinnati Bengals adjusted their offense during Higgins’ absence, preparing for both his potential return and a longer absence. With Higgins sidelined for Week 17’s practice, Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan shifted the game plan to rely more on Chase (who saw extra reps in practice) and tight end Hayden Hurst (who was given additional red-zone targets). They also increased reps for third wide receiver Charlie Jones, who was tasked with learning Higgins’ usual routes (including the “fade” and “sluggo” routes that Higgins excels at). In a press conference, Burrow acknowledged the challenge of playing without Higgins but expressed confidence in the team’s depth: “Tee is a big part of our offense, but Charlie and Trenton have been working hard, and Hayden’s been stepping up too. We’ll be ready either way.” The Bengals also considered signing a free-agent wide receiver as insurance, working out veteran Mohamed Sanu on Wednesday, though no signing was finalized— a sign that the team remained optimistic about Higgins’ short-term recovery. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this flexibility was critical: with a Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns (a must-win to secure a wildcard spot), they needed to be prepared to compete with or without their No. 2 receiver.

Tee Higgins' Concussion Timeline Monitored for the Cincinnati Bengals explores the critical Stage 4 of the protocol (contact practice) and the tough decision the Cincinnati Bengals faced ahead of Week 17. On Friday of Week 17, Higgins advanced to Stage 4, which required him to participate in full-contact practice—including drills with defensive backs and live tackling (though he was paired with reserve defenders to minimize risk). The medical team monitored him closely throughout practice, checking for symptoms immediately after contact and again 30 minutes later. Higgins reported no issues, but the team faced a dilemma: while he had cleared four stages of the protocol, the independent neurological consultant recommended an extra day of observation (due to the short turnaround between Stage 4 and Sunday’s game). Taylor and the Bengals’ front office ultimately decided to list Higgins as “questionable” for the Browns game, with a final decision to come on Saturday. “We have to balance preparation with safety,” Taylor said. “If the consultant says an extra day will help, we’ll take it. We don’t want to put Tee in a position where he’s at risk of reinjury.” This decision forced the Bengals to keep two game plans ready: one with Higgins in the lineup (featuring more two-receiver sets) and one without (relying on three tight ends in some packages). For the Cincinnati Bengals, the choice reflected their commitment to Higgins’ long-term health over a single game—even as playoff stakes loomed high.

Tee Higgins' Concussion Timeline Monitored for the Cincinnati Bengals wraps up with the final stages of Higgins’ recovery and the implications for the Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff run. On Saturday of Week 17, Higgins was cleared for Stage 5 of the protocol (“full return to play”) after passing a final neurological exam and showing no symptoms following Friday’s contact practice. Taylor announced that Higgins would start against the Browns, though he would be on a “play count” to limit his snaps (around 60% of his usual workload) as a precaution. In the game, Higgins proved his readiness, catching five passes for 72 yards and a critical third-quarter touchdown that gave the Bengals a 14-7 lead. Post-game, Higgins said he “felt great” and had no symptoms, calling the recovery process “frustrating at times but necessary.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, Higgins’ return was a major boost for their playoff hopes—solidifying their passing attack and giving Burrow back his top two targets. Looking ahead to the wildcard round, the Bengals’ medical team plans to continue monitoring Higgins, with daily symptom checks and limited practice reps early in the week to prevent fatigue. “Having Tee back isn’t just about his stats—it’s about the confidence he brings to our offense,” Taylor said. “He’s a playmaker, and in the playoffs, those guys make all the difference.” In the end, Higgins’ concussion timeline was a testament to the Bengals’ balance of urgency and caution—prioritizing their player’s health while ensuring they remain competitive in their push for a Super Bowl title.