For the second time this season, a concussion will prevent Tee Higgins from taking the field for the Bengals against division-rival Baltimore.

Higgins missed the first game in Baltimore—a Cincinnati victory on Thanksgiving—because he was unable to clear concussion protocol from the previous week’s game against the Patriots. He returned after missing the turkey day victory, thanks in part to Cincinnati’s extra three days’ rest. Once cleared, the wide receiver joined the team for their game in Buffalo and returned to the lineup. From a production standpoint, he seemed no worse for wear, putting up a gaudy six catch, 92-yard performance, and found the end zone twice in the loss.

What’s not shown in the box score was Higgins’ repeated acrobatic contested catches against a helpless Buffalo coverage. However, not once or twice, but multiple times, fans watched as the wideout’s helmet banged hard on the turf— seemingly after every catch.

Higgins visited the blue tent twice after separate impacts and was allowed to return to play on each occasion. However, after the game was over, No. 5 self-notified trainers of symptoms suggesting a second concussion. Bells and sirens went off at league offices, but interviews and a short investigation turned up no wrongdoing by the team doctors, trainers, or specialists.

This week, Higgins has been ruled out against Baltimore (again) in a division where there is no upper hand amongst the three teams vying. It’s fair to assume that Higgins has to hit more measureables for his second concussion before he is cleared. The two are so close together, all parties will want to be sure that there is no chance for a third.

Fantasy Lowdown: This does virtually nothing to Joe Burrow’s projections, but it will make Ja’Marr Chase’s job a little harder with extra attention being paid. Slight bumps will go back to the hyper-athletic Mitchell Tinsley and red zone threat Andre Iosivas. However, the big fantasy bump is to tight end Mike Gesicki. The rapport he has with Burrow is undeniable, and when Higgins has missed time in the past, Gesicki often lines up as a wide receiver from the slot. He’s worth a look as a flex streamer while Higgins is out in Week 15 or possibly longer.

Author: Samwise (@BuyAndSellYou)