Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins is unlikely to play in Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, and he may have a clumsy teammate to thank for that.
While Watkins has reportedly been dealing with pain in his surgically-repaired foot, it sounds like things got worse earlier this week when the foot was stepped on by another Bills player in practice.
“I know it’s a pain deal, there’s no doubt about that,” head coach Rex Ryan told reporters on Friday, per ESPN’s Mike Rodak. “I think he got stepped on during a walkthrough, so that probably never helped him.”
To make matters worse, Watkins hasn’t even participated in practice this week, meaning the incident occurred while he was doing work on the side. Fellow wide receiver Robert Woods said he was unsure of when the injury occurred but that he could tell Watkins was hurting.
“I just saw it in his face,” Woods said. “He made a little face. It bothered him, whatever it was.”
If someone stepping on Watkins’ foot is enough to keep him out of a game, you know the foot wasn’t fully healthy to begin with. That explains why a previous report put the 23-year-old’s entire season in jeopardy because of the foot issue. Watkins likely is not going to feel right all year.
