CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice as he remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol for the second time in three weeks.
Higgins took part in individual drills, the first step toward being cleared, but must continue to show progress throughout the week to be eligible to play in Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Paycor Stadium.
Higgins sustained a concussion late in the Bengals’ Nov. 23 game against the New England Patriots, sidelining him for the Thanksgiving night matchup against Baltimore. He cleared protocol in time to play in Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, but hit the back of his head during the contest and was evaluated in the blue medical tent. An independent doctor allowed him to return to the field, and he was cleared again after a second in-game evaluation.
Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals is helped off the field during the fourth quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Head coach Zac Taylor said Monday that Higgins reported concussion symptoms later Sunday night, prompting the team to place him back in the protocol.
The NFL and NFL Players Association issued a statement Monday regarding Higgins’ situation.
“Tee Higgins was evaluated twice in game and cleared to return,” the statement said. “After the game, in discussion with club medical personnel as part of a postgame evaluation, he notified the team he was experiencing symptoms and was immediately placed in the concussion protocol.”
Taylor said on Wednesday he will allow the doctors to make the decision on Higgins’ status.
Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball after a reception against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
“We trust them,” said Taylor. “They’ve done a great job with all this stuff. Getting a guy back to practice is part of the guy coming back and returning from a concussion. It will be a very limited basis.”
In 12 games this season, Higgins has 46 receptions for 667 yards and a team-high nine touchdown catches.
In Sunday’s 39–34 loss at Buffalo, he recorded six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a one-handed grab in the end zone while his other arm was being held by a defensive back.
Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Maxwell Hairston #31 of the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
“I just know he’s a game-changer and he’s a physical mismatch for just about everybody that lines up across from him,” said Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher. “And he’s a great competitor. You saw that the other day.”
If Higgins is unable to play, the Bengals are expected to rely on wide receivers Andrei Iosivas and Mitchell Tinsley, along with tight end Mike Gesicki, to help fill the void.
It’s the same approach Cincinnati used when Higgins missed the first matchup with Baltimore two weeks ago.
“We played these guys 14 days, or whatever it was, without him at our disposal, so it’ll be a group effort,” said Taylor. “How that ultimately plays out remains to be seen as we finish up the plan and as we see how the game plays out, but I know we have plenty of guys that can step up and make plays.”