Tee Higgins is likely to play in Week 16 against the Dolphins

The Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) may become crucial offensive piece is back just in time for Week 16even when their postseason hopes had already faded. Wide receiver Tee Higginswho missed time after suffering his second concussion of the season, appears on track to return against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night.

After being listed as questionable for final injury reportoptimism about Higgins’ availability grew significantly when NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport provided an update at the end of the week.

“Bengals VR Tee Higgins, working his way back from a concussion and listed as questionable, likely to play Sunday, source said. He was a full participant Friday,” Rapoport wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

That context is important to the Bengals offense that was shut out completely in last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Higgins missed that game after sustaining a concussion in Week 14 against the Buffalo Billsmarking the second head injury of his 2025 campaign.

His full participation in Friday’s practice strongly suggests he is nearing the end or has already cleared the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol.

While Cincinnati is no longer in the playoffsthe final weeks of the season remain important for evaluating the roster and setting momentum going into 2026.

Quarterback Joe Barrow will remain under center despite the team’s elimination, and the return of Higgins paints a clearer picture of what the offense can look like when healthy.

The collapse of the Bengals in the second half of the season is frustrating, especially after coming together at the end of last year only to not make the postseason. This year’s struggles have already ended with a third straight playoff miss, but Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins (6-8) offers a chance to end the year with competitiveness and clarity.

For Higgins, the return is now crucial on a personal level as well. After battling injuries all season, a strong finish could bolster his value as one of the league’s most impactful receivers when available.

If Higgins does respond, all eyes will be on how he responds physically — and whether Cincinnati can finally rediscover some offensive rhythm heading into an uncertain offseason.