Bengals' Tee Higgins wants to connect with Bills' Damar Hamlin before playoff game

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins would like to connect with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before Sunday's playoff game between the clubs held at Highmark Stadium. 

"I’m pretty sure we’re just going to laugh, chop it up, laughs and giggles and just going to be happy to see him," Higgins explained about the potential interaction between the players, as shared by Greg Dudek of NESN. "Hopefully talk to him a little bit and just chop it up a little." 

Higgins and Hamlin will forever be linked because of the events of Jan. 2. It was on that night at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium when Hamlin tackled Higgins on a seemingly routine play but then went into cardiac arrest. The 24-year-old spent nearly an entire week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and was later discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute on Jan. 11. Hamlin has since been visiting the Bills' team facility "almost daily." 

Following Hamlin's medical emergency, Higgins mentioned that he received support from the safety's family after some suggested the receiver was to blame for the incident. According to Ben Baby of ESPN, Higgins confirmed he hasn't spoken to Hamlin since that Monday night. 

It's unclear if Hamlin will make a public appearance before or during Sunday's Bengals-Bills clash. He previously visited teammates ahead of the home playoff game against the Miami Dolphins which Buffalo won 34-31 this past Sunday. 

"Obviously, knowing what happened the last time, the whole situation, knowing that he's OK now is gonna help us out in the long run," Higgins added about moving forward, knowing Hamlin has made remarkable progress.