Tee Higgins Set to Play Against Dolphins After Concussion Protocol Clearance
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is on track to return to the field this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, having successfully cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Higgins received confirmation from Dr. Micky Collins, a respected concussion expert in Pittsburgh, solidifying his readiness to play.
Recent Struggles with Concussions
Higgins has faced challenges recently, having missed two of the last three games due to concussion-related issues. His first concussion occurred during a matchup against the New England Patriots on November 23. Following that incident, he sat out the subsequent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he made a notable comeback for the Bengals’ contest against the Buffalo Bills, where he showcased his talent with six receptions for 92 yards, including two spectacular touchdown catches—one of which was a remarkable one-handed grab that kept the Bengals competitive.
Despite his impressive performance, Higgins was evaluated multiple times during the game for concussion symptoms. Ultimately, he was placed back in the protocol the following day after reporting ongoing symptoms, which sidelined him for last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Chasing Career Milestones
As Higgins prepares to step back onto the field, he has his sights set on achieving significant career milestones. With 46 receptions for 667 yards and nine touchdowns this season, he is just two touchdowns shy of setting a new personal best for receiving touchdowns in a season, surpassing his previous high of 10 achieved in 2024.
Moreover, Higgins has the opportunity to reach the coveted 1,000-yard receiving mark for the third time in his career. To accomplish this, he will need to average 111 receiving yards over the final three games of the season.
Standing Among the Best
Currently, Higgins ranks sixth in the NFL for receiving touchdowns, despite the time he has missed. Davante Adams leads the pack with 14 touchdowns, followed by Amon-Ra St. Brown with 11, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Trey McBride, and Dallas Goedert each have 10. While it may be an uphill battle to catch Adams at this stage, Higgins remains motivated to finish the season strong and potentially climb higher in the rankings.
As the Bengals prepare for their critical matchup against the Dolphins, the return of Tee Higgins could provide a significant boost to their offense, with the wide receiver eager to make an impactful contribution in the final stretch of the season.
