Tee Higgins looked like he was back to his dominant self last week, finding the end zone twice against Buffalo. But that momentum came to a sudden halt.
Now, the Cincinnati Bengals must face a pivotal divisional matchup without their star receiver, and his status for the remainder of the season remains uncertain.
Why Was Higgins Ruled Out for Week 15?
Higgins returned to action in Week 14 and immediately became a focal point for Joe Burrow, racking up 92 yards and two touchdowns. However, he took another hit to the head during the game. While the medical staff initially cleared him to continue playing against the Buffalo Bills, the symptoms returned later, forcing him back into the league’s concussion protocol.
The week started with some optimism as Higgins logged limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday. But the situation regressed by the end of the week. ESPN’s Ben Baby reported that the receiver was absent from the field entirely on Friday morning.
“Bengals WR Tee Higgins (concussion) not at Friday’s practice. Has been limited this week as he works through concussion protocol,” Baby reported. Shortly after that update, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed Higgins would not suit up against the Baltimore Ravens.
“The Bengals rule out WR Tee Higgins for this week’s game, as he continues to deal with a concussion,” Rapoport posted on X.
When Could Higgins Return to the Lineup?
Getting back on the field requires passing specific benchmarks. Higgins needed to complete a full practice and receive clearance from an independent neurologist, neither of which happened. This setback means he will miss his second game in three weeks due to head injuries.
The downgrade from limited participation to missing practice suggests a complicated recovery. While Week 16 remains the next possible return date, his availability is far from certain. If the team falls out of the playoff race, they could choose to shut him down to prioritize his long-term health, especially given the multiple concussions in such a short window.
MORE: Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Sends Clear Message About Uncertainty Around His Future in Tampa Bay
Bengals Remaining Schedule
- Week 15: vs. Ravens
- Week 16: at Miami Dolphins
- Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Week 18: vs. Cleveland Browns
Losing Higgins is a significant hit to Cincinnati’s offense. He has been a key contributor in the 2025 campaign, recording 46 catches, 667 yards, and nine touchdowns. Burrow will now have to rely on Ja’Marr Chase and the depth receivers to fill that void in a must-win game.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Cincinnati holds just a 2.6% chance of making the postseason, according to PFSN’s playoff simulator. A loss to Baltimore or a Pittsburgh Steelers victory in Week 15 would likely eliminate them from contention.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Stats and Insights for Week 15
Team: The Bengals’ playoff hopes have dwindled following their loss to the Bills. With Pittsburgh and Baltimore facing more rigid schedules to finish the season, Cincinnati needed to win all remaining games to reach 9-8 and potentially claim the AFC North title.
QB: Joe Burrow’s first two interceptions of the season happened on back-to-back passes in the fourth quarter. The two mistakes turned into 14 points that fueled a critical win for the Bills and a devastating loss for the Bengals.
Offense:Â Cincinnati has four games with a B- or higher in OFFi; they are 1-3 in those games.
Defense:Â In Week 12 against the Ravens, the Bengals forced five turnovers, and the 14 points allowed is a season best.
Fantasy:Â Joe Burrow has thrown for 1,081 yards and 11 touchdowns across his last three meetings with the Ravens.