Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Updates for the Cincinnati Bengals

For the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Tee Higgins is a core part of their passing offense—his size and contested-catch ability complement Ja’Marr Chase and support Joe Burrow. So when he left Week 10’s Colts game with a rib injury, concerns grew amid the playoff push. The Bengals’ medical staff has since shared regular updates on his recovery protocol, tracking rest, rehab, and practice returns. These updates reveal how the team is protecting a key player while prepping him to contribute. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Updates for the Cincinnati Bengals breaks down his recovery phases, key milestones, and what his return means for the Bengals’ postseason.

The first update came 48 hours post-injury, with the Bengals’ medical team confirming a Grade 2 rib contusion (no fractures)—guiding initial rest and pain management. Rib injuries are tough for receivers, who need core strength for catching and cutting, so the staff focused on reducing inflammation first. Higgins had three days of no on-field activity, plus ice therapy every four hours and anti-inflammatories. A soft-tissue specialist did daily manual therapy to ease tight rib-area muscles. Head athletic trainer Paul Sparling said, “Healing properly avoids longer absences.” By Week 1’s end, Higgins reported 50% less pain with deep breaths or twisting—clearing him for the next phase. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Updates for the Cincinnati Bengals notes this caution prevented setbacks common with rushed core-injury recoveries.

The second phase centered on low-impact rehab to rebuild core strength without straining ribs—critical for avoiding re-injury. Starting Week 11, Higgins worked with the strength coach on isometrics (planks, wall sits) to engage his core without twisting or heavy lifting. He added light cardio (stationary biking, treadmill walking) to keep fitness up. Staff used pain scales to adjust intensity; discomfort over 2/10 meant scaling back. By Week 11’s end, he did 10-minute planks and 20-minute bike sessions pain-free—earning clearance for non-contact drills. “Core strength lets Tee fight for catches,” said strength coach Joey Boese. “He’s responding better than expected.” Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Updates for the Cincinnati Bengals emphasizes this phase also rebuilt his confidence in his body, a key mental step after injury.

For the Cincinnati Bengals, the third phase—non-contact practice integration—was highly anticipated, marking his first on-field time since injury. Week 12 saw Higgins join walkthroughs: 50% speed route drills, catching from backups (no Burrow throws initially to avoid full force). Staff gave him a lightweight rib protector for cushioning. He started with basic routes (slants, outs) then moved to crossing routes and shallow posts, with coaches noting sharp timing with Burrow. “His energy lifts the team,” said offensive coordinator Todd Monken. “We’re not pushing, but he’s ready for more.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this phase was strategic too: practicing plays with Higgins kept him aligned with game plans for when he returned to contact. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Updates for the Cincinnati Bengals explores how this balance kept him connected while prioritizing health.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ most encouraging update came Week 13: Higgins had advanced to contact drills—setting up a potential Week 14 Broncos return. Drills started light: simulated contact (shoulder taps, no tackles) with backup DBs. He caught three contested red-zone passes, including one with a gentle hit from Jessie Bates III, and reported no pain post-practice. Staff monitored him 24 hours, then cleared full contact next day. Sparling said, “Passing contact drills means his ribs can handle game physicality.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this boosted playoff hopes: Higgins’ return would reunite the Chase-Higgins-Boyd trio, making the offense harder to defend. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Updates for the Cincinnati Bengals notes he also studied Broncos coverages to stay mentally ready.

The final update came 48 hours before Week 14’s Broncos game: Higgins was active, with a modified snap count to manage workload. Staff used a “quarter-by-quarter” plan: 15-20 first-half snaps, halftime checks for pain. He exceeded expectations: 28 snaps, four catches for 62 yards, and a key third-and-8 catch to set up Burrow’s game-winning TD. Post-game, he said, “Not 100%, but good enough to help.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this proved their protocol worked—balancing healing and contribution. Staff plans to increase his snaps over the next two games, targeting full strength for playoffs. Tee Higgins' Protocol Progress Updates for the Cincinnati Bengals concludes his recovery shows the Bengals’ commitment to player health—protecting stars and keeping the team a postseason contender.