Mario Williams Injury: Updates on Bills DE's Foot and Return

Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams is suffering from a foot injury and missed Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Williams Active vs. Texans

Sunday, Dec. 6 

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Williams is available to play against Houston.

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Latest on Williams' Practice Status

Saturday, Dec. 5

On Friday, the Bills announced Williams was a full participant in practice after being limited on Wednesday and Thursday. 

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Ryan Comments on Williams' Timeline

Friday, Dec. 4

“I think Mario looks good,” Bills head coach Rex Ryan said, according to Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. “He might not be 100 percent, but he’s good enough for us.”

On Nov. 27, Ryan said, per ESPN's Mike Rodak, the injury isn't season-ending.

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Williams Vital to Bills' Playoff Hopes

The 30-year-old defensive end is in the midst of his fourth season with the Bills, and although his production is down a bit to the tune of just three sacks in 10 games, his presence is crucial for Ryan's defense.

Along with Jerry Hughes, Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams, the four-time Pro Bowler has been part of arguably the NFL's best front four for the past few seasons.

Most eyes are usually on Williams since Buffalo signed him from the Houston Texans with a massive contract following the 2011 season, and he has delivered for the most part.

Williams has registered double-digit sacks in each of his three full campaigns with the Bills, including a career-high 14.5 in 2014.

In addition, Williams has been extremely durable during his time in Buffalo. Injuries plagued the final couple seasons of his tenure with the Texans, but before Week 12 of this campaign, the 2006 No. 1 overall draft pick hadn't missed a game almost four seasons with the Bills.

That isn't to say he hasn't been banged up here and there, though. Along with a lingering calf ailment, Williams suffered through an illness that limited him to just one play in the Bills' Week 10 victory over the New York Jets.

While Williams hasn't shown any signs of frustration with regard to his nagging injuries, the same can't necessarily be said for the dip in his sack total.

When asked about Ryan's propensity for having his defensive lineman drop back in coverage after a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Williams questioned whether it was the proper utilization of the team's defensive assets, per Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News:

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I feel like the three guys you said including myself being four, a lot is put on our shoulders as far as the amount given out to players on this team as far as income, I would assume those four guys a lot would be on their shoulders to get after the quarterback, stop the run and be disruptive. Like I said, if the call is three man this or that, one way or the other, dropping, things like that, that’s the call.

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Even though the 2015 season hasn't been Super Mario's best from a statistical perspective, he has played a significant role in the team's success through his penchant for taking on extra blockers and hurrying the quarterback even when he isn't finishing plays with sacks.

Buffalo has no shortage of players who can get to the quarterback, and Williams' return will add additional pressure to opposing quarterbacks. 

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