Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor‘s previously reported groin injury could be serious enough to require core muscle surgery, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Taylor will visit Dr. William Myers in Philadelphia after the season ends to determine whether to go under the knife. If he does, recovery time would likely be in the six-week range (link via Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com).
Citing business reasons, the Bills decided Tuesday that they’ll sit Taylor for Sunday’s season finale against the Jets. If Taylor were to play and suffer a severe injury, Buffalo wouldn’t be able to escape the $30.75MM in guarantees remaining on his contract. Taylor’s current issue is unlikely pose a problem for the Bills, per Rapoport, who notes that the 27-year-old should be able to pass a physical by the March 9 deadline for the team to walk away from his contract.
Even if the Bills do opt out of the extension they awarded Taylor last August, the two sides could still work out a different deal during the offseason. Taylor said Thursday he isn’t looking to leave the Bills despite having to cede the starting role to EJ Manuel on Sunday. Manuel was a first-round pick in 2013, but his ineffectiveness over the first couple years of his career helped lead the Bills to sign Taylor as a free agent in March 2015.
During his two years in Buffalo, Taylor has started in all 29 of his appearances, completed 62.6 percent of passes and thrown 37 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. The former Baltimore backup has been a bigger weapon on the ground, having rushed for 1,148 yards (5.8 per carry) and 11 scores with the Bills, and should be able parlay his dual-threat abilities into a No. 1 role somewhere in 2017.