Tee Higgins Ruled Out vs. Ravens as Bengals Prioritize WR’s Health Amid Concussion Protocol
The Bengals will be without one of their top offensive weapons this Sunday when they take on the Baltimore Ravens, as head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that wide receiver Tee Higgins remains in the concussion protocol and will not suit up.
Higgins, who’s been a key red zone target and a reliable downfield threat all season, has been dealing with the aftereffects of a concussion sustained late in Cincinnati’s Week 12 win over the New England Patriots. That hit not only knocked him out of that game but also sidelined him for the high-profile Thanksgiving night matchup against Baltimore.
The initial signs were promising. Higgins cleared the protocol ahead of last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills and was active for the matchup.
But during the game, he took another blow to the back of the head and was evaluated twice in the blue medical tent. Each time, an independent doctor cleared him to return.
It wasn’t until later that night, after the adrenaline wore off and the lights dimmed, that Higgins reported symptoms consistent with a concussion. The team immediately placed him back in the protocol.
The NFL and NFLPA addressed the situation in a joint statement on Monday, confirming that Higgins had been evaluated twice during the game and cleared both times. But the postgame evaluation - a critical part of the league’s evolving approach to player safety - revealed symptoms that weren’t apparent in real time. That led to a cautious, responsible decision by the Bengals’ medical staff to hold him out moving forward.
Taylor, speaking earlier in the week, made it clear that the decision on Higgins’ availability would rest entirely with the medical professionals. And with Sunday’s divisional matchup looming, they’ve decided not to take any risks - a move that speaks volumes about how seriously the team is taking player health.
Before the injury setbacks, Higgins was putting together a strong season. In 12 games, he’s hauled in 46 passes for 667 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns. His ability to win contested catches and stretch the field has been a difference-maker for an offense that’s had its share of ups and downs this year.
Without Higgins, the Bengals will have to lean more heavily on their remaining receiving corps, which includes Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd, to create separation against a Ravens defense that’s been one of the stingiest in the league. It’s a tall order, especially in a game with serious playoff implications, but one the Bengals will have to meet head-on.
For now, the focus is on Higgins' recovery. The Bengals are playing the long game - not just for this season, but for the future of one of their cornerstone players. And in a league where the margin between playing and sitting can be razor-thin, the decision to prioritize health over availability is one that deserves recognition.