In the months leading up to the 2016 NFL season, Aaron Williams knew he had a decision to make. Coming off a neck injury that prematurely ended his 2015 campaign, Williams had to experience that "one hit" to convince himself that he could continue his NFL career this season. Now with his 2016 season cut short by another neck injury, Williams has a similar career decision.
On Tuesday the Bills placed Aaron Williams on injured reserve with a neck injury to make room for the signing of Percy Harvin. General manager Doug Whaley said the move was an easy one to make.
"From the medical staff we knew he was going to be out for an extended period of time," Whaley said. "He'll take this time to get healthy."
Whaley would not deem Williams 2016 season over. He mentioned that the safety could be designated to return, but knowing there are nine weeks left in the regular season and Williams, under the new injured reserve rules could not play until he's been out eight weeks, it seems highly unlikely that Williams will see the field again this year.
Buffalo's personnel boss however, didn't want to go that far down the road yet.
"All indications are we have to take it day by day," Whaley said. "We haven't broached the subject of anything other than let's take it day by day and try to get him better. After time the medical staff will sit down with him and we'll determine which way to go from there. For now it's about taking the time to get this thing better."
Whaley has not had any conversations with Williams about his playing future, but he realizes the difficulty the Bills safety might be facing, having to go through the same decision making process a second time.
"Once the medical staff deems him able to play then that's a decision he has to make," said Whaley. "Obviously that's something they're going to have to determine and sit down with Aaron and his family. We're going to do the best for him as a person, not a football player. I know that for sure. Where that goes I can't tell you."
