The Buffalo Bills and former Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson have agreed to take some precautionary action on Lawson's shoulder. It was flagged at the NFL Combine in April and could be a huge problem down the road. Although Lawson could play this year and be just fine, the team decided that there was too much risk in that and opted for surgery to fix the problem now.
The Bills released this statement Monday afternoon:
"The Buffalo Bills are taking measure to prevent the possibility of Shaq Lawson aggravating a pre-existing shoulder condition during the season. While he could continue to play, the Bills medical staff has determined that surgery is the best course of action for the overall health of his shoulder moving forward. He had an occurrence of the condition last week, but that would not preclude him from participating in the offseason program. Shaq is scheduled for surgery tomorrow on his shoulder with a rehabilitation program to follow. A timetable for his return is still being established."
Another former Tiger also may have been injured this offseason in receiver Sammy Watkins. It appears he may have an injury that could at the very least limit him at the beginning of the season.
That is not ideal for a team that could really use the services of both players, but hopefully Watkins will be ready fairly early in the season if he can get surgery quickly and get rehab started ASAP. Watkins had over 1,000 yards receiving and nine touchdowns last year in his second season with the Bills.
