Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Tommy Doyle is retiring from the NFL after just two playing seasons.
The Bills announced the sudden news with a post on X. Doyle is just 26 years old.
Severe leg injuries ultimately pushed Doyle to make the decision. He described the aftereffects of his two major knee injuries in the NFL as “permanent,” rendering him unable to play football at an elite level.
Severe leg injuries ultimately pushed Doyle to make the decision. He described the aftereffects of his two major knee injuries in the NFL as “permanent,” rendering him unable to play football at an elite level.
“At this point, with the calendar and the healing process, it looks as though it’s permanent,” Doyle said, via the Bills’ team site. “I’m just unable to play football at a high level, and it’s time. When you know you know.
“Football is something that I’ve loved and put my life into. And I put a lot of time, effort and energy to try to get back on the field. But ultimately, that’s really not the plan God has for me, and I know that to be true. I feel that this is the time to announce it and move on.”
The Bills picked Doyle in the 5th round of the 2021 NFL draft. The Miami (OH) alum played 11 games for Buffalo in his rookie season.
However, injuries began plaguing Doyle after his first year with the team. In 2022, Doyle tore the ACL in his right knee during a Week 3 contest against the Miami Dolphins. He worked his way back to be healthy for the 2023 season but tore the ACL in his other knee during a preseason game. Doyle has yet to play since.
Doyle’s brief NFL career yielded at least one memorable moment. The big man scored a touchdown late in the Bills’ 47-17 Wild Card drubbing of the New England Patriots during the 2021 playoffs.
The Wild Card matchup ended up being Doyle’s penultimate NFL game.
