Tee

Higgins

As has been the case in each of the past three years, injuries took their toll on Higgins and turned what would have been a good season into a rather disappointing one. He missed two games with separate concussions. Joe Burrow also spent multiple months on injured reserve with a turf toe injury. His absence briefly tanked the offense, though Joe Flacco eventually saved the day for fantasy managers when he took over for Jake Browning. Higgins finished the year with 59 grabs and 846 yards. Neither of those numbers are particularly close to his best marks, but he did bring down a career-high 11 receiving touchdowns, five of which came from Flacco. Despite the modest year, Higgins is still one of the best No. 2 receivers in the NFL, and fantasy managers will keep him in the WR2 mix when early 2026 drafts come around.

It was a disappointing statline on an afternoon where Joe Burrow cleared 300 yards in three quarters, but Higgins at least didn’t stick finals-week managers with a zero. Held under 60 in each of his two appearances since returning from his latest concussion, Higgins is closing out the year on a quiet note. That probably won’t change for a Week 18 matchup with the Browns’ elite defense.

Returning after a one-game absence with his concussion issues, Higgins dominated Jack Jones in the end zone on his nine-yard touchdown to get the scoring started in the first quarter. He was quiet after that as Chase Brown and Mike Gesicki combined for four scores, but fantasy managers got what they came for. That included Higgins escaping without further injury problems. He’s a must play, as usual, for Week 17 against the Cardinals’ awful defense.

Higgins sought extra assurance he was actually good to go after getting re-injured in Week 14 and missing Week 15, but the doctors told him what he needed to hear even with the Bengals’ playoff pursuit over. He can be treated as a borderline WR1. Inactive for the Bengals are QB Jake Browning, WR Charlie Jones, DB Brayln Lux, S P.J. Jules, EDGE Joseph Ossai, TE Noah Fant and DT Jordan Jefferson.

The Bengals also had Higgins see a concussion expert to confirm his clearance and give Higgins extra reassurance. Higgins was listed as questionable on Friday but will be active when the Bengals release their inactives. Facing a defeated Dolphins squad, Higgins should be able to create a few big plays in Week 16, keeping him in the WR2 ranks.

Higgins still hasn’t cleared concussion protocol, but the questionable designation suggests he could have a chance to clear it before Sunday’s game. His status will be one to watch heading into the weekend, but if Higgins is unable to go, Mitchell Tinsley would again see an expanded role in his absence. While Higgins is questionable, TE Noah Fant (ankle), DE Joseph Ossai (ankle), and WR Charlie Jones (ankle) have all been ruled out.

Higgins has been limited in the first two practices to start the week. He still needs to clear concussion protocol if he hopes to suit up for Week 16 against the Dolphins, but three-straight practices, even if in a limited capacity, suggest he’s trending toward a return. We should have the final word on his availability when the team releases its injury report later in the day.

Technically, Higgins could end up being listed as a limited participant, though this participation level is hardly encouraging for his Week 16 availability. Hopefully, Higgins can practice fully tomorrow, or at least increase his limited participation level. Stay tuned.

Oh, dear. This is unfortunate. Higgins practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday. If he is unable to participate today, it likely means that he suffered a setback. The Bengals face the Dolphins this week. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. With Higgins sidelined, the Bengals had WR Andrei Iosivas operate as the No. 2, while Mitchell Tinsley handled No. 3 duties.

Higgins got in some limited practices last week but was ultimately ruled out on Friday. He will need to get upgraded to a full participant before being cleared from the league’s concussion protocol. No Bengal outside of Ja’Marr Chase and Chase Brown topped 20 receiving yards with Higgins sidelined for Week 15. If he isn’t cleared for Week 16, there isn’t a fantasy option worth adding for Cincinnati’s matchup with the Dolphins.