The Bengals will be without one of their top offensive weapons this Sunday, as wide receiver Tee Higgins has been ruled out of the divisional clash against the Ravens due to a concussion. It’s the second time this season Higgins has entered concussion protocol, a frustrating development for both the player and a Bengals team looking to salvage something from a tough year.
Higgins is coming off arguably his best performance of the season, hauling in six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns in a 39-34 shootout loss to Buffalo. That kind of production is exactly what Cincinnati has been hoping for from the talented wideout, who has battled through an up-and-down campaign. Through 12 games, Higgins has posted 46 receptions for 667 yards and nine touchdowns - solid numbers that reflect his ability to be a reliable red-zone threat and a big-play option downfield.
His absence is a significant blow for quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense, especially against a Ravens team that’s making a late-season push for a playoff spot. With Higgins sidelined, Cincinnati loses a key piece of its passing attack - a player who not only stretches the field but also commands attention from opposing secondaries. That puts more pressure on the rest of the receiving corps to step up and fill the void, especially in a rivalry game that still carries plenty of weight despite the Bengals’ current standing.
Kickoff is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in Cincinnati, and while the Bengals may be out of the playoff picture, they’ve still got a chance to play spoiler. But doing so without Higgins on the field makes that challenge even steeper.