Eric Wood confirms neck injury has ended his playing career

Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood will not return to the team in 2018, as he confirmed on Friday that a neck injury has ended his career.

Wood released a statement on Twitter confirming reports that doctors have told him he can no longer play football.

I was diagnosed with a neck injury as part of my season-ending physical with the Bills. After consultation with Dr. Cappuccino and other physicians, I was informed that I was no longer cleared to play football, even with surgery or further treatment.

— Eric Wood (@EWood70) January 26, 2018

I appreciate and thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers, and I will shed more light on the situation at a press conference on Monday at the team facility.

— Eric Wood (@EWood70) January 26, 2018

In addition to being a veteran leader in Buffalo’s locker room, Wood is one of the better centers in football. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2015 and played in all 16 games for the Bills in four of the last five seasons, including 2017. Wood has also shown in the past that he has a great sense of humor.

With the Bills having hired a new offensive coordinator and potentially moving on from Tyrod Taylor this offseason, losing Wood is yet another reason that they could be looking at a serious rebuild.