Taylor injury may be costly to Bills
QB sitting out regular-season finale for ‘business reasons’ may need off-season surgery
The ongoing Tyrod Taylor saga could throw a serious wrench into the Buffalo Bills’ off-season plans.
While it was decided this week by Bills decision-makers not named interim head coach Anthony Lynn that the quarterback would sit out Sunday’s regular-season finale as a “business decision,” it seems the franchise may have waited a little too long to pull the plug and avoid triggering a $27.5-million injury guarantee in Taylor’s contract.
Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News reports Taylor has plans to head to Philadelphia to determine if he’ll need surgery on a groin/hernia injury he’s been dealing with for some time.
The scary part for the Bills is Taylor has to pass an off-season physical by March 11 to avoid his contract from becoming guaranteed, with the franchise also needing to decide by that date whether to exercise options for 2018 through 2021.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, however, reported that even if Taylor does need surgery after a visit to specialist Dr. William Meyers, he should be sufficiently recovered by mid-March.
If Taylor is healthy by then, the Bills, who are debating if he’s the long-term answer, could release the 27-year-old without significant salary cap implications.
The reports came on the heels of Taylor sitting out Thursday’s practice, which was called a “veteran’s day” by Lynn, who is in the mix to have the interim tag removed by GM Doug Whaley.
EJ Manuel will start at quarterback Sunday against the New York Jets, with rookie Cardale Jones serving as the backup.
If Taylor can’t pass his physical, the new head coach, no matter who it is, will have his hands tied at the quarterback position in 2017.
Former NFL safety dies
Keion Carpenter, who spent three seasons patrolling the Bills secondary, died Thursday after an accidental fall in Miami, his family announced. Carpenter was 39.
Undrafted out of Virginia Tech, the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder latched on with the Bills in 1999, suiting up in 37 games over the next three years.
Carpenter suffered two fractured vertebrae in 2003 and eventually retired in 2006 with 14 career interceptions.
One of Carpenter’s cousins, Jamila Smith, described the incident, which happened while Carpenter was playing with his son.
“They were running to the car when he slipped, fell, hit his head and slipped into a coma. It was just a freak accident,” she told the Baltimore Sun.
Concern for Martin
After he revealed he’d been hit with a four-game suspension by the NFL and was immediately entering a drug treatment facility, Doug Martin’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates expressed shock and concern over the situation.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported the running back’s performance-enhancing drug policy violation is for the use of Adderall.
“I’m just glad he saw a situation where he needed help and he went and did it,” Bucs offensive lineman Evan Smith told ESPN.
Quick hits
Le’Veon Bell told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he’s hopeful of working out a new contract with the Steelers this off-season. If they can’t, the 24-year-old running back will undoubtedly be slapped with the franchise tag … An ESPN report Thursday suggested Cincinnati Bengals star A.J. Green, who is being held out of a meaningless finish to the season by ownership, hasn’t been attending meetings this week … It sounds like the Dallas Cowboys will be turning to Mark Sanchez and Darren McFadden this weekend, smartly deciding to rest rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott for the majority of Sunday’s game in Philly. Elliott is 178 yards from breaking the NFL rookie rushing record … San Diego Chargers RB Melvin Gordon apparently wants to return from knee and hip injuries this week so he can get to the 1,000yard mark. He’s three yards away … Robert Griffin III has cleared concussion protocol and will start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. It’s a good way to make sure the Brownies keep the No. 1 overall pick, as RG3 has yet to throw a touchdown pass in four starts this season … Bengals TE Tyler Eifert had back surgery this week, head coach Marvin Lewis said … Speaking of Lewis, he confirmed he’ll be back for a 15th season on the Bengals sideline.