The Bengals will be without a key weapon in Week 15, as wide receiver Tee Higgins has officially been ruled out ahead of their matchup against the Ravens. It’s a tough blow for Cincinnati’s offense, especially considering the timing - Higgins had just returned from a concussion suffered in Week 13, only to aggravate the injury in last Sunday’s game.
This marks the second time in three weeks that Higgins will be sidelined due to the head injury, a frustrating development for both the player and the team as they push through the final stretch of the regular season. Safety PJ Jules is also listed as doubtful, adding another layer of concern to the Bengals’ depth chart on the defensive side.
Higgins, now 26, has been a foundational piece of the Bengals' offense since being drafted in the second round back in 2020 out of Clemson. After wrapping up his rookie contract - a four-year deal worth just under $8.7 million - Higgins was headed for free agency in 2024. But Cincinnati made sure not to let him walk, applying the franchise tag at a hefty $21.8 million price tag for the season.
That move signaled how highly the team values Higgins, and they doubled down by locking him into a four-year, $115 million extension - a deal that catapulted him into the top tier of wide receiver salaries league-wide. And with good reason.
When healthy, Higgins is a matchup nightmare. His size, catch radius, and red zone presence give Cincinnati a dynamic option alongside their other playmakers.
In 2025, he’s shown flashes of that impact, posting 40 catches for 575 yards and seven touchdowns across 12 games. That production, especially in the scoring department, highlights just how important he is to this offense.
But availability matters, and the Bengals will have to find ways to move the ball without him this week. Whether that means more targets for Ja’Marr Chase, increased involvement for the tight ends, or a heavier reliance on the run game, Cincinnati’s offensive staff will need to adjust on the fly.
As for Higgins, the focus now shifts to recovery. Given the nature of head injuries and the fact that this is a recurrence, the Bengals will likely be cautious with his return. Long-term health takes priority, especially for a player they’ve invested in so heavily.
With playoff implications looming, Cincinnati’s depth and adaptability will be tested. And while Higgins’ absence is a setback, the Bengals have been here before - and they’ll need to lean on that experience as they head into a critical AFC North showdown.