Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Brings Optimism to the Cincinnati Bengals

For the Cincinnati Bengals, a team locked in a tight playoff race, every update on star wide receiver Tee Higgins’ health carries weight—and recent news of his steady progress through the team’s injury recovery protocol has injected a wave of optimism into the locker room, fanbase, and coaching staff. Higgins, who sustained a rib contusion in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts, has been navigating a structured return-to-play protocol designed to ensure he’s fully healthy before stepping back on the field. Each milestone he hits—from pain-free mobility drills to full-contact practice reps—brings the Bengals one step closer to reuniting their dynamic receiving duo of Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, a pairing that’s critical to Joe Burrow’s success in the passing game. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Brings Optimism to the Cincinnati Bengals explores the details of his recovery journey, the key steps in the protocol, and why his potential return is a game-changer for the Bengals’ playoff aspirations.

The foundation of Higgins’ recovery has been the Bengals’ phased return-to-play protocol, a multi-step process that prioritizes safety while gradually building his strength and endurance. The protocol began with the “rest and mobility” phase, where Higgins focused on light stretching, breathing exercises, and low-impact cardio to reduce rib pain and maintain fitness without straining the injury. After three days of hitting pain-free benchmarks (no discomfort during deep breaths or torso twists), he moved to the “strength and agility” phase, which included bodyweight exercises to rebuild core stability—critical for a receiver who relies on sudden cuts and explosive jumps. By the end of Week 11, Higgins was completing cone drills and catch simulations with a trainer, using a soft foam football to avoid impact. “We don’t rush players through this protocol—each step has to be mastered before moving on,” explains Bengals head athletic trainer Paul Sparling. “For Tee, the core work is non-negotiable; his ability to generate power in his routes depends on a strong, pain-free torso.” Each phase includes daily check-ins with the medical staff, who track his pain levels on a scale of 1-10 and adjust the plan if any discomfort arises. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Brings Optimism to the Cincinnati Bengals notes that Higgins has yet to report any setbacks, a positive sign that the injury is healing as expected.

A major turning point in Higgins’ protocol came in Week 12, when he advanced to the “contact simulation” phase—one of the final steps before full practice integration. This phase included drills where trainers and backup players applied controlled contact to Higgins’ torso, mimicking the physicality he’d face in a game. For example, during a red-zone catch drill, a backup linebacker lightly pressed against Higgins’ chest as he jumped to catch a pass from Burrow—a scenario designed to test his ability to handle contact without pain. Higgins completed 15 reps of the drill without reporting discomfort, a key benchmark that convinced the medical staff to clear him for limited team practice reps the following week. “The contact simulation is where we really see if a player is ready,” says Sparling. “It’s one thing to catch a pass in a quiet drill, but it’s another to do it when someone’s pushing you—That’s when the body reacts instinctively.” Video of the drill, shared by the Bengals’ social media team, quickly went viral among fans, with many commenting on Higgins’ smooth movements and lack of hesitation. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Brings Optimism to the Cincinnati Bengals emphasizes that this phase isn’t just about physical readiness; it’s about rebuilding Higgins’ confidence in his body, ensuring he doesn’t hold back during game action.

For the Cincinnati Bengals, Higgins’ protocol progress isn’t just a personal win for the receiver—it’s a strategic boost for an offense that’s been missing his presence in key situations. Since Higgins’ injury, the Bengals’ passing attack has become more predictable: defenses have shifted to double-team Chase on 60% of his routes (up from 45fore the injury), limiting Burrow’s options downfield. Without Higgins’ ability to win one-on-one matchups on the outside or make contested catches in the red zone, the Bengals have relied more on their running game, which has been effective but less dynamic. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has been open about how Higgins’ return will change the game plan: “Tee forces defenses to make a choice—do they double Ja’Marr, or do they let Tee beat them deep? Right now, they don’t have to choose, and that makes it harder for us.” With Higgins progressing through the protocol, Monken has already started adding back plays from the Bengals’ early-season playbook—like deep post routes for Higgins and play-action fakes that exploit the attention he draws. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this means a more balanced, unpredictable offense that’s better equipped to handle the tough defenses they’ll face in the playoffs, like the Baltimore Ravens’ physical secondary or the Kansas City Chiefs’ aggressive pass rush. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Brings Optimism to the Cincinnati Bengals explores how Higgins’ return will unlock the offense’s full potential, making the Bengals a more dangerous team in the stretch run.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ coaching staff has also used Higgins’ protocol progress as a morale booster for the team, highlighting his work ethic and resilience as an example for teammates. Head coach Zac Taylor has referenced Higgins’ recovery in team meetings, noting how the receiver shows up an hour early to every rehab session and stays late to review film—even on days he can’t practice. “Tee’s approach to this protocol says everything about his character,” Taylor told the team during a Week 12 meeting. “He’s not just working to get back for himself—he’s working to get back for all of us, because he knows we’re better when he’s on the field.” This message has resonated with players: Chase has joined Higgins for post-rehab film sessions to go over route combinations, while Burrow has stayed late to throw with him during the contact simulation drills. The team’s energy during practice has also picked up since Higgins started participating in limited reps, with players cheering him on during drills. “When you see a guy like Tee fighting to get back, it makes you want to push harder too,” says Bengals running back Joe Mixon. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this team-wide enthusiasm isn’t just about camaraderie—it’s about building momentum heading into the final weeks of the season. A healthy Higgins doesn’t just improve the offense; he lifts the entire team’s confidence, reinforcing the idea that they have the talent to make a deep playoff run. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Brings Optimism to the Cincinnati Bengals notes that this morale boost comes at a critical time, as the Bengals face a tough stretch of games against playoff contenders.

Finally, Higgins’ protocol progress has brought renewed optimism to the Bengals’ fanbase, who see his potential return as a sign that the team’s playoff dreams are still alive. Local sports talk shows and fan forums have been abuzz with discussions about when Higgins might play next, with many analysts predicting he’ll be ready for the Bengals’ Week 14 matchup against the Denver Broncos—a critical game for their wild-card hopes. The Bengals’ ticket office has also reported a spike in sales for upcoming home games, with fans citing Higgins’ potential return as a key reason for buying tickets. “Our fans know how important Tee is,” says Bengals team president Mike Brown. “When they see him making progress, it gives them hope that we can turn this season around and make another playoff push.” Even national analysts have taken notice: ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently tweeted that “Higgins’ recovery timeline is a major wildcard for the AFC playoff picture,” noting that a healthy Higgins could make the Bengals a “dark horse” to reach the Super Bowl. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this fan and media optimism isn’t just noise—it’s a reminder of the high expectations surrounding the team, and the role Higgins plays in meeting those expectations. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Brings Optimism to the Cincinnati Bengals concludes that while Higgins still has a few more steps in the protocol before he’s game-ready, every milestone he hits brings the Bengals closer to a full-strength roster—and a better chance of competing for a championship. In a season filled with ups and downs, Higgins’ recovery has become a symbol of hope for the Bengals, proving that with patience, hard work, and a well-executed plan, even setbacks can be turned into opportunities.