Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has addressed recent rumors surrounding his absence from practice, insisting that his hamstring injury has nothing to do with his contract situation. Speaking to ESPN on Thursday, Higgins expressed confusion over the narrative that he might be exaggerating the issue. “I don’t get why fans think I’m faking it, especially when the contract extension deadline is long gone,” Higgins said. The deadline he referenced was July 15, the cutoff for players on the franchise tag to negotiate a long-term deal. “It just doesn’t make sense to me,” he added.
Higgins injured his hamstring during a practice on September 5, just days before the Bengals’ season opener against the New England Patriots. Initially, Higgins felt positive about his condition and was confident he’d be ready to play. “I felt amazing and thought I was good to go for Week 1,” Higgins said. However, after further evaluation, the injury proved more significant than he initially realized, leading to his absence in the 16-10 loss to the Patriots. Higgins hasn’t practiced since and remains focused on his recovery.
The fifth-year wide receiver also emphasized his desire to return at full strength rather than risk further injury by rushing back onto the field. “I want to give my team 100% of Tee Higgins, not just 50% to be out there,” he explained. His commitment to being fully prepared echoes the sentiment he shared earlier in training camp when he signed his franchise tag, prioritizing his performance for the upcoming season.
Despite missing time, Higgins has the full support of his teammates and coaching staff. Bengals left guard Cordell Volson praised his work ethic, stating, “The way Tee approaches his work is really special. He’s a player who always gives it his all.” Head coach Zac Taylor has described Higgins’ recovery as day-to-day, with no definitive timetable for his return.
Higgins, who had 656 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 12 games last season, is a vital part of Cincinnati’s offense. With his focus set on making an impact, he’s determined to come back stronger and provide the Bengals with the level of play they’ve come to expect from him.