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Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Tee Higgins stated that his recent absence from game action is not due to his contract negotiation. Higgins, who injured himself in September and suffered a hamstring injury on the 5th, does not entertain any theories involving him not playing to take precautions for his future long-term deal.
With ESPN’s Ben Baby, Higgins was compelled to respond to the resurfaced allegations among the diehard supporters. "I just don't understand why fans think I'm faking an injury, when for me to get an extension for a contract, the deadline is over," Higgins said on Thursday.
"I just don't understand why they think I'm faking an injury. It doesn't make sense to me." This offseason, the Bengals issued a $21.8 million franchise tag to Higgins, thus blocking him from becoming a free agent. After July 15, the only option for the star receiver was to sign a one-year contract and play out that frustrating season.
In light of these factors, Higgins stressed that there is no added value in feigning injury under these circumstances.
Hamstring Setback Delays Return
"I prepare myself to go out here and dominate, start of Week 1," Higgins explained.
"Unfortunately, four days before the game, I have a hamstring tweak that I didn't think was as bad, so I made the comments I did after [practice]. I didn't think it was bad until, obviously, I got it checked on the next day.
It was worse than what I thought." This prompted Higgins to take a medical leave despite feeling ‘amazing’ just before the season opener. He has also failed to practice this week, which casts more doubt on his availability in the Sunday showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I want to go out there and give my teammates a hundred percent of Tee Higgins, you know what I'm saying?" Higgins said. "I don't want to give them 50% and half-ass it just to be a presence on the field." It is rather unclear whether Higgins will play for the Bengals in their next game against the reigning champions of the Super Bowl.
English (US)