According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood has suffered a neck injury that will force him to retire.
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Bills’ center Eric Wood has suffered a career-ending neck injury, as @ScoutFantasy reported. Big blow to Buffalo’s offensive line.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 26, 2018
Schefter described the injury as "wear and tear" on Wood's neck, as well as calling it a "complicated medical situation".
Wood has since officially announced that he is no longer cleared to 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
Wood, 31, was taken in the first-round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Bills after a standout career at Louisville. Wood has played his entire career with the Bills, and he was even selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015.
Wood's injury comes out of nowhere, as the big offensive linemen played every single offensive snap for the Bills in the 2017 season.
A career ending neck injury seems surprising for Eric Wood considering he didn't miss any of Buffalo's offensive snaps this season (regular season & playoffs).
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) January 26, 2018
Wood was a key part of Buffalo's offensive line this past year that saw the Bills finish sixth in the NFL in rushing offense. The rushing totals helped propel Buffalo to the NFL Playoffs for the first time in almost 20 years.
