CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals were back at practice Thursday afternoon as word came out that Damar Hamlin’s condition has remarkably improved. Bengals players spoke about Hamlin’s improved condition and how they were doing after Monday’s game.
What You Need To Know
- Tee Higgins said it’s been a tough few days after Monday’s game
- Higgins has been in touch with Hamlin’s mother and said he found out the good news about Hamlin’s condition Thursday morning
- Tyler Boyd said he and Hamlin were talking all week ahead of the game — the two are both Pittsburgh alums and friends
- Both players said it was a relief to hear Hamlin is improving
Many have wondered how Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was holding up. Higgins was the player who tackled Hamlin before Hamlin went into cardiac arrest.
While Higgins initially didn’t want to talk about Monday night’s game, he did share that it’s been a tough few days for him. Higgins said he’s been in touch with Hamlin’s mom and the news that came out Thursday saying Hamlin is making significant improvements has put Higgins at ease.
Higgins walks on the field at Wednesday’s walkthrough. (Spectrum News/Katie Kapusta)
Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd also spoke. He went to Pittsburgh, the same college Hamlin went to. While the two never played together there, they have a friendship. Boyd said the two were talking all week and even during warmups.
Tee Higgins (left) and Tyler Boyd (right) share a smile during Wednesday’s walkthrough (Spectrum News/Katie Kapusta)
“Me and him were practically talking the whole week because it was the first time playing against me and in uniform and just being on the same field together because I didn’t get to play with him in college,” Boyd said. “And then come to the league and get to play, and our other Pitt guy, Dane Jackson, was over there as well. We were very prepared. And right before we actually played, we were warming up for pregame and I seen him and we told each other we loved each other and just have a heck of a game and we were going to swap jerseys at the end.
“Obviously it’s been hard because I had something to do with the play,” Higgins added. “But everybody’s been making me feel whole again. I talked to his mom and everything’s OK. He’s doing good, so I’m in a good place right now.”
According to the Associated Press, the Bengals-Bills game won’t be made up. The players seem indifferent about the decision, with Joe Burrow saying Wednesday that whatever the Bills wanted they were good with.
