Sammy Watkins Injury: Updates on Bills WR's Foot and Return

On May 16, the Buffalo Bills announced that wide receiver Sammy Watkins had broken his foot and undergone surgery, which took place in April. The Bills placed him on the physically unable to perform list July 29 to open up training camp, but he was activated Aug. 8.

Although he played during the preseason and in the regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, his playing status was in question for Week 2. However, he has been cleared to return.

Continue for updates.

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Watkins Active vs. Jets

Thursday, Sept. 15

The Bills announced Watkins will play against the New York Jets on Thursday night.

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Watkins Dealing with Pain in Surgically Repaired Foot

Monday, Sept. 12

"Watkins is playing with severe discomfort in his surgically repaired foot," Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported. Mehta continued:

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X-rays taken after the Bills' season-opening loss to the Ravens on Sunday did not reveal another break, according to people familiar with the situation, but Watkins is far from out of the woods.

The most important question now is whether Watkins can manage the pain in his foot. There was a fear on Sunday night that the wideout could miss the rest of the season before medical personnel, including renowned foot specialist Robert Anderson, advised Watkins against a surgical remedy for the issue at this time. It's possible, however, that Watkins could be shut down for several weeks—if not longer—depending on how his foot responds in the coming days.

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Joe Buscaglia of WKBW later reported that a league source confirmed Watkins could potentially miss several weeks and that it is up to Watkins to decide if he can play through the pain. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported that Watkins is experiencing "significant discomfort with screws in his foot."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said, "Watkins will likely have to play through pain this year," adding that there is nothing that can be done surgically to ease the pain. Rapoport also reported that the Bills have no plans to shut down Watkins, although the team thought at one point on Sunday night that Watkins had broken his foot again or broken the screws.

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Latest on Watkins' Practice Status

Wednesday, Sept. 14

The Bills announced Watkins was a limited participant in Wednesday's session, via Skurski, a day after Buscaglia reported Watkins was listed as a non-participant for Tuesday's practice.

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Ryan Comments on Watkins' Injury

Monday, Sept. 12

"We'll see," head coach Rex Ryan told reporters Tuesday. "He feels confident that he’ll be able to play…and I hope he’s right.”

"Sammy is sore," Ryan told reporters on Monday. "That's what it is. I'm saying we'll see how he progresses. That's it. You're concerned with every injury."

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Watkins Comments on His Health

Monday, Sept. 12

Watkins told reporters it was "very inaccurate" to say he wasn't feeling 100 percent heading into Sunday's game, adding that he had his foot examined and it was fine.

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Watkins Struggling to Shake Injury Bug

Watkins has quickly developed into a special talent for the Bills since he was drafted fourth overall in 2014. The 23-year-old had his first career 1,000-yard season in 2015 despite missing three games. He registered 982 yards as a rookie.

Injuries hampered Watkins last season. He suffered a sprained ankle in October that kept him off the field, though he returned Nov. 8 and had 168 yards and a touchdown on eight catches against the Miami Dolphins.

A broken foot that required surgery in April was the latest issue for Watkins, who's also dealt with rib, groin, hip, glute, hamstring and calf injuries during his brief professional career.

The depth chart at receiver isn't inspiring for the Bills, with Robert Woods, Brandon Tate, Greg Salas, Walter Powell and Marquise Goodwin, so the Bills are undoubtedly happy to have Watkins back in the lineup.