Bills' Watkins underwent surgery on broken foot
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins underwent surgery after breaking a small bone in his foot, the team confirmed Monday.
Watkins is expected to return by the regular season, the club confirmed.
The Bills' star needed a screw inserted after breaking a small bone in his foot, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News was the first to report the news. It has yet to be determined how Watkins incurred the injury.
Watkins recorded 60 receptions for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns last season, playing in 13 games.
The 22-year-old is the anchor of the Bills' passing game, and was widely expected to make a major leap entering his third professional season.
Watkins told fans that he's "doing great" and appreciated the support from the Bills' fan base.
To all my fans I'm doing great, can't believe everything you hear. Thanks for checking on me gotta love you guys. #BUFFLOVE
— King Me (@sammywatkins) May 16, 2016
Buffalo traded the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft along with its 2015 first- and fourth-round picks to the Cleveland Browns in order to move up and select Watkins fourth overall in 2014.
If Watkins is out for a prolonged period, expect Robert Woods to ascend to the top of the Bills' depth chart.