Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is back in concussion protocol.
The pass-catcher initially suffered a concussion in Week 12 against the New England Patriots. It caused him to miss Cincinnati's Week 13 game, but he cleared concussion protocol ahead of a Week 14 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Higgins had a great game, finishing with 92 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions, but hit the ground hard on two separate occasions. He was evaluated for a concussion in the game after each hit, but was subsequently cleared and returned to the game.
Higgins reportedly experienced symptoms after the game and on Monday morning, which caused him to re-enter the league's protocols and makes his getting cleared in Sunday's loss look suspect.
Here is all you need to know about Higgins going back into concussion protocols after the Week 14 loss.
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Tee Higgins concussion controversy, explained
Players are supposed to be taken out of the game and checked for concussions after big hits or their head hitting the ground hard, but it rarely happens. Higgins was checked twice in the Week 14 loss to Buffalo, but he reportedly cleared both times and re-entered the game.
The wide receiver said he felt okay on Sunday during the game, per head coach Zac Taylor, but reported concussion symptoms after the game and on Monday, and re-entered the protocols.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins experienced conccussion-like symptoms last night and this morning and is back in protocol, coach Zac Taylor said.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 8, 2025
Concussions are usually a topic of discussion in the NFL, but especially in 2025. Earlier in the year, the New York Giants were fined for how they handled a concussion check for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dar t. During the check, former head coach Brian Daboll and fellow rookie running back Cam Skattebo both went into the tent, which violated protocol.
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What happened to Tee Higgins?
Higgins initially suffered a concussion in Week 12. It caused him to miss the team's Week 13 game, but he returned in Week 14 against the Bills. The wide receiver had two instances where he landed hard on the ground and he was checked for a concussion in the medical tent both times. Higgins was cleared to return to the game both times, and finished with six receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Higgins was asked about the big hits he took in the loss to Buffalo after the game. ESPN reporter Ben Baby asked him if he thought about coming out of the game.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins on why he played through some hard falls on Sunday, especially given his recent concussions: “I’m a team-first guy.” Pic.twitter.com/rq44ScnVCD
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 8, 2025
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NFL concussion rules
If a player shows symptoms of a concussion, the protocol will be initiated by the person who spotted them. The player is taken to the sideline and examined for a concussion. They will be evaluated for any so-called "no-go" symptoms — loss of consciousness, gross motor instability, confusion, amnesia, fencing response, impact seizure — history of concussions, any other symptoms or a focused neurological exam.
The full rundown on the rules can be found here.
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Tee Higgins concussion history
This is not the wide receiver's first instance with a concussion. He first had a concussion in September 2022, but cleared the protocol without missing a game. Higgins suffered a concussion in Week 12 of the 2025 season against the Patriots. He missed a game but returned in
Week 14.
The wide receiver was checked for a concussion twice in Week 14, but remained in the game. Higgins re-entered concussion protocol after experiencing symptoms heading into Week 15.