Mario Williams’ left wrist had been bothering him for a few weeks. Finally, on Wednesday, the high-priced defensive end had what the Buffalo Bills called “a procedure” to relieve discomfort. Best of all, Williams is not expected to miss any time.
Coach Chan Gailey said he expects Williams to return to practice next week once the Bills resume workous from their bye weekend. Gailey, was otherwise, very short on specifics in sharing any other details regarding the status of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player.
Gailey wouldn’t reveal what the procedure was, where or when it took place — “I think it was yesterday,” he said — and even who determined it was necessary.
“I don’t know all that,” Gailey said in discussing the team’s underperforming star who signed a six-year, $100 million contract in free agency in March. “They told me what happened and said he’d be ready next week. That’s all I know.”
That might be all that counts for the Bills (3-4), who stumbled into their bye week having lost three of four. They get a chance to rest, recuperate and regroup before traveling to play at Houston — Williams’ former team — on Nov. 4.
A person familiar with Williams had said the player had visited a specialist to determine whether to have surgery. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team has not revealed that information.
Williams missed practice and did not attend team meetings on Wednesday. He hasn’t been spotted at the Bills facility since he spoke to reporters following a 35-34 loss to Tennessee on Sunday.
“I really need this bye week,” Williams said then. “Just try to get healthy and take care of my body.”
He’s been bothered by the injury since being hurt in the final week of the preseason. Though Williams has not revealed the exact nature of the injury, he’s blamed it on affecting his performance by limiting his ability to use his left hand in shedding blockers.
His production has been spotty at best, and resulted in Williams taking the brunt of criticism for many of the defense’s shortcomings this season.
Buffalo’s allowed an NFL-worst 1,238 yards rushing — that’s 986 yards short of the team’s total last season — and that includes giving up a combined 937 yards rushing in its last four games.
