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Alshon Jeffery's Agent Refutes Contract Dispute

By Chris Emma--

(CBS) Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery may not play in the season opener against Green Bay on Sunday, but it has nothing to do with a reported contract dispute.

On Tuesday morning, Bleacher Report reported that Jeffery "has not been given a new contract by the Bears, and because of that, does not want to play poorly in any game and risk further injury at this point in time." Jeffery has been sidelined for nearly four weeks with what the Bears have called a calf strain.

Eugene Parker, the agent for Jeffery, refuted that claim.

"Not true," Parker said Tuesday evening.

This is the final season of Jeffery's four-year deal, and he's to become an unrestricted free agent. He is set to make a base salary of $960,157 in 2015.

Jeffery has 174 catches and 17 touchdowns the past two seasons in Chicago and is the Bears' top receiver entering his fourth year with the team. His calf injury occurred prior to the first preseason game, and he hasn't been on the practice field since.

On Monday, Jeffery was spotted at Halas Hall but wasn't made available to reporters. Coach John Fox has been dismissive of questions regarding Jeffery's health, though he did say that the receiver is working on rehab while missing practices.

"It's not like he's sitting there eating bonbons," Fox said last week. "He's conditioning."

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.

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