Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis attributed his poor play this season to a groin injury, contradicting an account continually provided by his team.
"I had a groin tear that I dealt with," Davis said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Mike Wells. "I got different opinions on it. One doctor said I should have had surgery, other doctor told me to let it heal. I took the let-it-heal approach. I came back and probably came back a little too early and in the process, I probably hurt my teammates."
Davis suffered a preseason groin injury and missed the first three regular-season games as a result. He hasn't been listed on the injury report with a groin designation at any point since returning in Week 4.
The two-time Pro Bowler was left in Indianapolis last week as the Colts traveled to play the Houston Texans. Head coach Chuck Pagano repeatedly said Davis' benching was a "coach's decision," and not related to any injury whatsoever.
"I can't really control what Coach P said," Davis responded.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard backed his coach Wednesday, saying the veteran defender is healthy but just "hasn't played very well."
Chris Ballard, on @JMV1070 right now, says Vontae Davis was cleared by docs/trainers earlier in season. No fudging of injury report whatsoever since. "He hasn't played very well."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 8, 2017
"It's a disagreement because I feel like I was demoted because of my health instead of my ability," Davis said. "The agreement is I take full responsibility. I'm not myself. I'm not Vontae Davis. Obviously I know what level I can play at. I've been working trying to get back like with previous injuries, but it's not working."
The 29-year-old is in the final year of a four-year contract he signed ahead of the 2014-15 season.
