NFL World Calls for ‘Investigation’ Into How Tee Higgins’ Concussion Was Handled After Scary Injury Update

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Wide receiver Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals endured quite the battle against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. Losing a close one, 39-34, Higgins took a couple of hard falls against Buffalo and was evaluated twice in Cincinnati’s medical tent, clearing both, allowing him to return to the game.

However, following the game, Higgins reported concussion-like symptoms to the Bengals. After head coach Zac Taylor announced the development today, the NFL world was quick to call out Cincinnati’s handling of the injury and how the NFL continues to miss the mark on traumatic brain injuries.

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NFL World Asks For Deeper Look Into Tee Higgins’ Concussion Handling

The NFL has a checkered past with concussions. There’s no denying that the forces at play in the game of football are not great for the human body. However, with more awareness of concussions and symptoms, the issue has been taken more seriously over time.

Unfortunately, situations like Higgins’ injury in Week 14 call into question how serious the checks for concussions truly are after the receiver showed clear signs of a concussion on two separate occasions. While he did clear both checks, Higgins also lobbied to stay in the game, saying he was okay to play.

When asked about possibly sitting out following the checks after the game in the locker room, Higgins replied, “I’m a team-first guy. My team needed me. I felt like they did, so I went out there and tried to dog this out with my teams. Soldiers take hits.”

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The NFL and NFLPA released a joint statement on the matter, saying, “Tee Higgins was evaluated twice in-game and cleared to return. 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.”

Fans across the NFL were not as even-keeled, though, as many called for a closer look into the situation. As Underdog’s Hayden Winks explained on X, “He was in the end zone as many times as the blue tent. An investigation into how he was cleared so many times is warranted here. This could be the end of Tee Higgins’ 2025 season with them eliminated and 2nd concussion usually meaning IR.”

Buffalo radio station WGR 550 host Nate Geary went further, saying, “I wanted to briefly revisit this… not even being dramatic, but yesterday’s handling of Tee Higgins set back at least a decade of progress the NFL has made with head injuries. The whole point of the system that WORKS is saving a player from themselves. Higgins wasn’t wrong for what he did, he was failed by the Bengals, the NFL, and the systems in place to protect players.”

When looking back on the first hit to the head, it seems clear that Higgins was experiencing some trauma symptoms in his first game back from the concussion he suffered against the New England Patriots in Week 12.

As neuroscientist Chris Nowinski points out, “Tee Higgins was the poster child for the pressure not to be diagnosed with two concussions in a row. First game back from a concussion, his head clearly hurts here, but everyone is under pressure to pretend he’s fine, so no erring on the side of caution.”

However, the overall sentiment in favor of an investigation appears to be widespread. While others have targeted the Bengals and the NFL, someone else targeted the independent neurologist, with Rebecca Toback saying, “The independent neurologist from yesterday’s Bengals vs. Bills game needs to be investigated. Legitimately put Tee Higgins’ long-term health and safety at risk.”

While concussions are an injury that does happen in sports, the perceived lack of concern continues to draw the ire of fans with the NFL’s emphasis on player safety. While Higgins was able to clear both concussion checks, the visible symptoms and concussion suffered two weeks ago have people rightly concerned about whether the proper protocols were actually taken.

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