The Buffalo Bills are already without quarterback Tyrod Taylor on Sunday afternoon against the Cincinnati Bengals, and now they have lost receiver Sammy Watkins. Watkins was forced to leave the field with a non-contact injury, something that always raises alarm bells.
Watkins went down in the second quarter and has yet to return, raising all kinds of concerns. The second-year man has dealt with a litany of injuries throughout his short career, including hip injuries that kept him sidelined for multiple games in 2014. Watkins led the Bills in receiving as a rookie and was supposed to take the next step this year, but has yet to establish himself.
Throughout the week, Watkins has been complaining in the media about needing more targets. So far, Watkins has received 12 targets in three games, leading to seven catches for 99 yards. On Sunday, Watkins was targeted five times by backup quarterback E.J. Manuel and caught four passes for 48 yards. Watkins was injured trying to catch his fifth target, and was able to walk off the field under his own power.
If Watkins is out for any amount of time, the Bills are going to have a very tough time creating mismatches on the outside. Buffalo would be starting Robert Woods and Percy Harvin on the outside, with Chris Hogan manning the slot.