Tee Higgins' Concussion Concerns Shake the Cincinnati Bengals

As the Cincinnati Bengals ride a wave of favorable playoff momentum, a sudden injury scare has thrown a wrench into their plans: wide receiver Tee Higgins, a key cog in their high-powered passing attack, is now sidelined with a concussion. The news emerged following the Bengals’ Week 15 win over the Denver Broncos, a game that had previously felt like a step forward in their playoff push. Now, Higgins’ status has become a pressing concern—one that could reshape the Bengals’ offensive strategy and test their depth at a critical point in the season. Tee Higgins' Concussion Concerns Shake the Cincinnati Bengals explores the details of his injury, the NFL’s concussion protocol process, and how the Bengals are scrambling to adjust without one of their most reliable playmakers. For a team that’s worked so hard to rebound from a midseason slump, Higgins’ absence risks undoing that progress just as the playoffs draw near.

Tee Higgins' Concussion Concerns Shake the Cincinnati Bengals begins with the moment the injury occurred—a play that unfolded early in the third quarter of the Broncos game. Higgins lined up on the right sideline, running a deep out route to catch a pass from Joe Burrow. As he secured the 12-yard reception, Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II collided with him, leading with his shoulder to make the tackle. Higgins’ head snapped back on impact, and he lay on the field for several seconds before slowly getting to his feet. Trainers immediately rushed over to evaluate him, and after a brief sideline check, he was escorted to the locker room—never to return to the game. Postgame, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed the worst: “Tee showed signs of a concussion during the game, so we took him out immediately and started the protocol. Our first priority is his health, so we’ll take this one day at a time.” For fans watching the play unfold, the collision was a nerve-wracking reminder of the physical risks of the sport—especially for a player who had already missed two games earlier in the season with a knee injury. Higgins himself, known for his quiet toughness, hasn’t spoken publicly about the injury, but teammates noted he was “disappointed” to miss time during such a crucial stretch.

A critical part of Higgins’ situation is the NFL’s strict concussion protocol, a multi-step process that dictates when a player can return to action. The protocol begins with a “rest and recovery” phase, where Higgins must be symptom-free (no headaches, dizziness, or fatigue) for at least 24 hours before moving to the next step. Next comes “light activity”—low-intensity workouts like walking or stretching—followed by “football-specific activity,” where he’ll run routes and catch passes without contact. The final step is a “medical clearance” exam, where independent doctors must approve his return. As of Wednesday, Higgins had completed the first phase but hadn’t yet advanced to football-specific drills, according to the Bengals’ injury report. This timeline casts doubt on his availability for Week 16’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, a winnable matchup the Bengals need to solidify their playoff spot. “The protocol is there for a reason—we can’t rush Tee back,” said Bengals head athletic trainer Paul Sparling. “Concussions are unpredictable; some players recover in a week, others take longer. We won’t put him at risk just to win one game.” For the Bengals, this uncertainty is frustrating, but it also underscores the league’s commitment to player safety—a balance between competition and protecting athletes’ long-term health.

Tee Higgins' Concussion Concerns Shake the Cincinnati Bengals also highlights the immediate impact on the Bengals’ offense, which relies heavily on Higgins’ size, speed, and ability to win contested catches. At 6-foot-4, Higgins is Burrow’s go-to target in the red zone—he’s hauled in 6 touchdown passes this season, second only to Ja’Marr Chase—and his ability to draw double coverage opens up opportunities for other receivers. Without him, the Bengals’ passing attack becomes narrower: Chase will likely face constant double teams, and slot receiver Tyler Boyd will be tasked with taking on more of the downfield workload. During Wednesday’s practice, the Bengals tested this new look, with Boyd running more outside routes and rookie receiver Charlie Jones getting extra reps with the first-team offense. “We have to adjust, but it’s not easy replacing a guy like Tee,” Burrow said after practice. “He’s a big body who makes tough catches when we need them most. We’ll have to spread the ball around more and trust the other guys to step up.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this adjustment isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s about mindset. The offense has grown accustomed to leaning on Higgins in key moments; now, they’ll have to find new ways to generate points, whether through more screen passes to running backs or shorter, quicker routes to Boyd and Jones.

Another challenge for the Bengals is maintaining their playoff momentum while dealing with Higgins’ absence. The team has won three of their last four games, climbing from 4-6 to 7-6 and back into the AFC wild-card race. A loss to the Cardinals—who have one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses—could derail that progress, especially if other wild-card contenders like the Houston Texans win their games. To avoid that, the Bengals are leaning into their running game, which has been revitalized by Joe Mixon’s recent form (he’s rushed for 320 yards in the last three games). “We can still win without Tee by controlling the clock and running the ball,” Taylor said. “Our offensive line has been playing well, and Joe Mixon is hitting his stride. We’ll use that to our advantage against Arizona.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this shift in strategy is a test of their versatility—can they win with a run-first approach, or do they rely too heavily on their passing attack? Early signs from practice are promising: Mixon looked sharp in drills, and the offensive line opened up large holes during scrimmages. Still, there’s no denying that Higgins’ absence weakens the offense—a reality the Bengals will have to confront head-on Sunday.

Tee Higgins' Concussion Concerns Shake the Cincinnati Bengals concludes with the broader implications for the Bengals’ playoff hopes, which were recently looking so bright. If Higgins misses multiple games—including a potential Week 17 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers— the Bengals could struggle to secure a wild-card spot, especially if Chase draws too much defensive attention. On the other hand, a quick recovery from Higgins could reignite their offense just in time for the playoffs, turning this scare into a minor blip. For now, the team is focused on the only thing they can control: preparing for the Cardinals with the players they have. “We can’t dwell on what we don’t have,” Boyd said. “We have to go out there and play like we always do—for each other, for the fans, and for Tee. He’ll be back soon, but until then, we have to hold it down.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this injury is a reminder of how fragile a playoff run can be—one play, one injury, can change everything. But it’s also an opportunity to show their resilience, to prove they’re more than just a one-dimensional offense. As they head into Week 16, the Bengals aren’t just playing for a win—they’re playing to keep their playoff dreams alive, even without one of their most important players. In the end, Tee Higgins' Concussion Concerns Shake the Cincinnati Bengals is a story of adversity—a team facing a sudden challenge, and fighting to overcome it.