The Cincinnati Bengals are optimistic about the potential return of rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart this week, while the status of wide receiver Tee Higgins remains uncertain due to a concussion. Stewart practiced on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his knee on November 2 against the Chicago Bears. The team hopes to activate him from injured reserve for their upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Stewart has missed the last four games and eight overall, but he demonstrated confidence in his recovery, participating fully in practice. “Playing four games in a row is going to be a big, big confidence booster,” said Stewart. He expressed the challenges of missing time, stating, “Coming in and missing 10 weeks is just hard on the mental.” Previously, he had not experienced significant injuries, having never missed a game or practice during his college career.
Tee Higgins’ Concussion Concerns
In contrast, Higgins is grappling with the effects of his second concussion in just three games, placing his availability for Sunday’s match in doubt. He suffered his first concussion on November 23 during a game against the New England Patriots, where he fell hard after attempting to make a catch. Following that incident, Higgins missed the Thanksgiving game in Baltimore but returned for a match against the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, he sustained another head injury in a similar manner during that game.
Despite being cleared by the league’s independent neurologist during the game, Higgins reported experiencing symptoms later, leading to his re-entry into the concussion protocol. According to a joint statement from the NFL and the NFL Players Association, “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.”
For Higgins, the next critical step involves participating in a full, non-contact practice, followed by clearance from an independent neurologist later in the week to be eligible to play against the Ravens.
Playoff Implications and Team Dynamics
The Bengals currently sit with a record of 4-9. A loss against the Ravens could eliminate them from playoff contention, especially if the Pittsburgh Steelers secure a victory against the Miami Dolphins on Monday. Despite the slim chances, the team is eager to reintegrate Stewart into the lineup to maximize his experience before the season concludes. The absence of star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is out for the season, makes Stewart’s return even more crucial.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged Stewart’s hard work and expressed high expectations for him. “We’ve got high expectations for him, and he’s worked really hard to meet those and has done everything he can do,” Taylor said. He continued, “I don’t think there’s a pressure to see anything from him in the next four weeks. We’ll see how he feels as practice goes this week.”
As the Bengals prepare for their upcoming match, the health of both Stewart and Higgins will be pivotal in determining their strategy and hopes for the remainder of the season.
