If you've been worried that the Buffalo Bills paid $100 million for a prima donna this off-season, this story won't calm your nerves.
Mario Williams, who last week underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist to alleviate a problem that had been bothering him since the pre-season, notified his employers of his unexplained absence via text message, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
"Team sources say Williams was a no-show Monday before he texted a trainer and his defensive line coach to say he was getting a second opinion on his wrist and, subsequently, that he was undergoing arthroscopic surgery," Mortensen writes. Williams then apparently texted in his intent to return to the practice field this week and play next Sunday against the Houston Texans.
This report, if true, would explain why Bills head coach Chan Gailey was even more cryptic than usual in disclosing a player's whereabouts to reporters when Williams missed practice last Wednesday.
"The update on Mario is he had a procedure done to relieve some discomfort in his wrist and we expect him back for practice this week," Gailey said last week. "That’s all I know at this point." He'd later continue, "... they told me what happened and said he’ll be ready next week. He’ll be at practice next week. That’s what I understand. That’s what I was told."
Buffalo returns to the practice field today to begin preparations for their Week 9 matchup in Houston. We'll know more about Williams' prognosis at that point in time.