Bengals' Higgins: I'm not faking injury due to contract status

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is trying to shut down the narrative that he's faking an injury due to his contract status.

"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 told ESPN's Ben Baby.

He added: "It doesn't make sense to me."

Higgins is listed as doubtful for the club's Week 2 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury after he didn't practice all week.

The Bengals franchise tagged Higgins this offseason after contract discussions faltered. He was reportedly looking for a deal similar to the three-year, $70-million pact Michael Pittman Jr. signed. Higgins requested a trade but ultimately reported to camp after signing the $21.8-million franchise tender.

The 25-year-old missed Cincinnati's season opener against the New England Patriots due to the hamstring ailment. He was a limited participant last Thursday but told reporters he felt "amazing" and "ready to go" for the 2024 campaign. However, Higgins didn't practice the next day and was listed as doubtful.

"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)," Higgins said.

"I didn't think it was bad until, obviously, I got it checked on the next day. It was worse than what I thought."

Higgins added: "I want to go out there and give my teammates a hundred percent of Tee Higgins, you know what I'm saying? I don't want to give them 50% and half-ass it just to be a presence on the field."