Percy Harvin has been battling hip and knee injuries, but the Buffalo Bills claim neither health issue is the reason the 27-year-old wide receiver is choosing not to travel to London with the team this week.
The Bills have ruled Harvin out for Sunday’s game but labeled his absence “non-injury related.” Amid reports that Harvin could be considering retirement because of injury frustration, Rex Ryan said Thursday morning that he doesn’t know where Harvin is and that his absence is “personal.”
Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports speculates that the Bills could be in the early phases of playing hardball with Harvin in case he does decide to retire. By declaring Harvin’s absence from the team unexcused, the Bills could be paving the way to prove Harvin committed a “forfeitable breach” of contract and must give back his signing bonus money.
In other words, there is a difference between a career-ending injury and a player choosing to retire because he is frustrated. If the latter happens with Harvin, the Bills could argue that he owes them $4.5 million. Garafolo provides a much more in-depth look at Harvin’s contract situation and the salary cap ramifications.
There have already been conflicting reports on whether Harvin is actually thinking about hanging up his cleats, and he could reconsider. If it’s a matter of showing up to not lose $4.5 million, he might decide to grind it out.
