Tee Higgins' Recovery Timeline Uncertain for the Cincinnati Bengals

As the Cincinnati Bengals push for a playoff spot in the final weeks of the NFL season, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over their offense: the recovery timeline of star wide receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins, who suffered a knee injury in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings, has been sidelined for the team’s last two games, and Bengals coaches and medical staff have yet to provide a clear return date. Tee Higgins' Recovery Timeline Uncertain for the Cincinnati Bengals explores the factors contributing to this ambiguity—from the nature of his injury to the team’s cautious approach—and how his potential absence could impact the Bengals’ postseason hopes. For a team relying on its passing attack to fuel a playoff run, Higgins’ health has become one of the most pressing storylines of the late season.

Tee Higgins' Recovery Timeline Uncertain for the Cincinnati Bengals begins with the injury itself, which occurred in the second quarter of the Bengals’ 27-24 win over the Vikings. While making a contested catch near the end zone, Higgins was tackled awkwardly by Vikings safety Harrison Smith, his knee twisting under him as he hit the turf. He immediately grabbed his knee and was helped off the field, not returning to the game. Initial tests revealed a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL)—an injury that typically takes 2-4 weeks to heal for NFL players—but further evaluations showed mild swelling and discomfort that persisted longer than expected. “It’s a standard MCL sprain, but every player heals differently,” said Bengals head athletic trainer Paul Sparling. “We’re not rushing him back—we want to make sure he’s 100% to avoid a more serious injury down the line.” Higgins has been limited to light workouts in the team’s training facility, focusing on strength and flexibility drills, but has yet to participate in full practice or contact drills. For a player who’s started all 13 games he’s played this season, catching 54 passes for 769 yards and five touchdowns, the uncertainty around his return has left a gap in the Bengals’ receiving corps.

Tee Higgins' Recovery Timeline Uncertain for the Cincinnati Bengals continues with the variables that have complicated his recovery timeline. One key factor is the severity of the sprain, which Sparling described as “mild to moderate”—a range that leaves room for interpretation. While some players with mild MCL sprains return in two weeks, others take closer to four, especially if they experience setbacks like swelling or stiffness. Higgins has also dealt with minor knee issues in the past, including a similar sprain in 2022 that kept him out for three weeks, which has led the Bengals to take a more conservative approach. “We learned from last time that rushing Tee back can lead to lingering issues,” Sparling said. “This time, we’re monitoring his progress day by day, not sticking to a rigid timeline.” Another variable is the Bengals’ playoff position: as of Week 17, the team holds the sixth wild-card spot, and a win in their final regular-season game against the Baltimore Ravens could secure a more favorable seed. While Higgins has expressed a desire to return for the regular-season finale, the Bengals’ medical staff is prioritizing his health for the playoffs, if they qualify. “I want to be out there with my teammates, but I know I can’t help the team if I’m not healthy,” Higgins said in a recent interview. “We’re taking it slow, and that’s the right call.”

Tee Higgins' Recovery Timeline Uncertain for the Cincinnati Bengals shifts to the impact of his absence on the Bengals’ offense, which has already had to adjust to the return of Ja’Marr Chase earlier in the month. Without Higgins, the Bengals have relied more on third wide receiver Tyler Boyd and tight end Irv Smith Jr. to fill the gap. Against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, Boyd caught eight passes for 95 yards, and Smith Jr. added four catches for 52 yards, but the offense lacked the deep threat and red-zone presence that Higgins provides. “Tee is our guy in the red zone—he’s big, physical, and he wins contested catches,” said Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. “We have other talented receivers, but replacing Tee’s production isn’t easy.” The numbers back this up: this season, Higgins has caught 12 passes in the red zone, three of which went for touchdowns, and leads the team in yards per catch (14.2) among regular receivers. Without him, the Bengals’ red-zone efficiency, which had improved to 71% in December before his injury, dropped to 50% against the Cardinals. For the Cincinnati Bengals, Higgins’ absence isn’t just about losing a receiver—it’s about losing a key playmaker who changes how defenses game-plan against them. Defenses can now focus more on doubling Chase, knowing there’s no other receiver with Higgins’ size and speed to exploit one-on-one matchups.

Tee Higgins' Recovery Timeline Uncertain for the Cincinnati Bengals delves into the Bengals’ contingency plans if Higgins is unable to return for the regular-season finale or the playoffs. The team has elevated practice squad wide receiver Trenton Irwin to the active roster, and he saw significant playing time against the Cardinals, catching three passes for 38 yards. Irwin, a sixth-year player who’s spent most of his career on practice squads, has shown flashes of potential but lacks the experience and consistency of Higgins. The Bengals have also shifted their offensive game plan to rely more on the running game, with Joe Mixon getting more carries in short-yardage and red-zone situations. Against the Cardinals, Mixon rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns, a strategy that could help offset the loss of Higgins if he’s out long-term. “We have to be flexible,” said Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. “If Tee isn’t available, we’ll lean on other parts of our offense to be successful. That’s the mark of a good team—being able to adapt to adversity.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, these contingency plans are a necessary step, but they also highlight how important Higgins is to the team’s success. While Mixon and the running game can provide a boost, the Bengals’ offense is at its best when Burrow has three elite receiving options in Chase, Higgins, and Boyd.

Tee Higgins' Recovery Timeline Uncertain for the Cincinnati Bengals wraps up with the implications for the Bengals’ playoff hopes and the latest updates on his recovery. As of Monday, the Bengals listed Higgins as “day to day,” with Sparling noting that he could participate in limited practice this week. However, there’s still no guarantee he’ll play in the regular-season finale against the Ravens, a critical game for playoff seeding. If the Bengals make the playoffs, Higgins’ availability could determine how far they go—especially if they face teams with strong pass defenses like the Kansas City Chiefs or Baltimore Ravens. “Tee is a difference-maker in the playoffs,” Burrow said. “We’ve seen what he can do in big games, and we need him if we want to make a deep run.” For Bengals fans, the uncertainty around Higgins’ recovery has added a layer of anxiety to the final weeks of the season, but it’s also highlighted the team’s resilience. Despite injuries to key players, the Bengals have stayed in the playoff hunt, a testament to their depth and coaching. As the regular season winds down, all eyes will be on Higgins’ progress in practice, and whether he’ll be able to suit up for the biggest games of the year. In the end, Tee Higgins' Recovery Timeline Uncertain for the Cincinnati Bengals is a reminder of the unpredictability of the NFL—where injuries can change the course of a season in an instant. For the Bengals, the hope is that Higgins’ recovery will trend upward, and he’ll be back on the field soon to help lead the team on a playoff run.