Tee Higgins in Concussion Protocol After Bengals’ Loss
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is in concussion protocol after the 26-20 loss to the New England Patriots.
Higgins was carted off the field with just over four minutes remaining in the final quarter. He remained on the field at Paycor Stadium for several minutes after falling while attempting to catch a deep pass down the right sideline. After a few minutes, Higgins was placed on his back before eventually sitting up. Finally, he slowly walked toward the medical cart and was taken to the locker room.
With All-Pro receiver Ja’Marr Chase suspended for the game due to a spitting incident the previous week, Cincinnati was without its top two passing targets as it attempted a late comeback that fell just a few plays short.
I feel like we did a good job fighting and trying to take advantage of our opportunities out there. Some guys went down, and some guys stepped up. And I think we just tried to fight until the end.
Mitch Tinsley, Bengals receiver
Tinsley finished with two receptions for 29 yards. One of those receptions was a 17-yard touchdown pass with 4:40 remaining, cutting the Patriots’ lead to 23-20. After New England extended its lead with a field goal on the next drive, Cincinnati’s comeback stalled at the Patriots’ 26-yard line.
Higgins finished the game with five receptions for 31 yards. With Chase out, Higgins was the primary option for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who finished the game despite suffering a dislocated index finger in the final quarter.
Flacco looked for Higgins as much as possible. One of those plays resulted in a crucial fumble in the first half. The veteran quarterback tried to pass the ball to Higgins, but opted for a short pass to running back Chase Brown. At that moment, Patriots defensive back Marcus Jones was able to intercept the ball and return it for a 33-yard touchdown. The sequence helped New England erase an initial 10-0 deficit and take a lead that the Patriots (10-2) maintained for the rest of the game.
Flacco completed 19 of 37 passes for 183 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The 40-year-old player said the sprain in his right shoulder that he has been dealing with for the previous three games was not an issue.
But the offense couldn’t generate the necessary rhythm to score enough in what could be Flacco’s last start with the team.
Joe Burrow, the franchise’s cornerstone and two-time Pro Bowl selection, has been out since suffering a toe injury in Week 2. Burrow took significant practice reps throughout the week. Bengals coach Zac Taylor ultimately decided to give Burrow a couple of extra days of rest, especially since the team’s next game is in four days against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bengals (3-8) only won one of the six games in which Flacco started. However, during that period, he completed 61.6% of his passes for 1,636 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.
Taylor didn’t reveal his plans on who will be the starter against the Ravens. Given the uncertainty of the coming days, Flacco reflected on the most recent stop in his 18-year career.
I feel very fortunate to have found myself in this situation. As much as I would have liked to see us win games, I’ve still had a lot of fun here with these guys in the locker room. Going out, lacing up with these guys has been a lot of fun. I’ve felt at home and had a great time doing it.
Joe Flacco
But that feeling can be contrasted with how Cincinnati feels about its season. All that remains for the Bengals is to be mathematically eliminated from the postseason. That will mark a third consecutive year without a playoff appearance after the deep runs of 2021 and 2022.
After the match, Taylor talked about generating momentum to find a win after the team’s fourth consecutive loss and eighth loss in nine games.
We just have to find a way to win so we can remember how that feels.
