Bills center Wood retiring after diagnosed with neck injury

BUFFALO, N.Y. » Eric Wood’s first NFL career playoff appearance will have to be his last.

The Buffalo Bills veteran center and respected leader stunningly revealed on Friday that a debilitating neck injury has left him with no choice but to retire after nine seasons.

In a statement released by the Bills on the team’s Twitter account, Wood said the injury was discovered during his season-ending physical.

Wood added he has since been informed by doctors that the injury is so severe he would no longer be cleared to play — even with surgery or further treatment.

“I appreciate and thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers,” Wood said, noting he will have more to say during a news conference scheduled to take place at the Bills headquarters on Monday.

“Huge loss today for the Bills organization,” Bills guard Richie Incognito said following the AFC Pro Bowl team’s practice in Florida.

“He’s been a great friend to me, great teammate, great leader,” Incognito added. “It’s really a sad day.”

Incognito then grew emotional in saying Wood was in good spirits after the two spoke.

“Typical E-Wood,” Incognito said. “He’s putting his positive spin on it already.”

The revelation of the injury comes as a shock to the Bills. Following a 9-7 season, they lose an influential on- and off-field leader at a time when the team’s fortunes were looking up after ending a 17year playoff drought, which had been the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports.

The decision to retire also comes after Wood happily talked about how eager he looked forward to returning next season after a 10-3 loss to Jacksonville in the AFC wild-card playoff on Jan. 7.

“I’m just so glad I won’t have to answer: ‘So, what’s different this year. How are we going to end the drought this year?”’ Wood said. “Now it’s we’ve got a foundation to build on. Let’s keep improving.”

Several Bills players voiced their support to Wood in posting notes on their Twitter accounts.

“Deeply saddened by this news. Cannot say enough positive things about @EWood70,” rookie receiver Zay Jones wrote . “Prayers sent your way brotha. Much love to you and your family.”

Wood was the team’s secondlongest active tenured player. Last summer, the Bills signed Wood to a two-year contract extension that ran through the end of the 2019 season.