Bills GM Doug Whaley says football not a game humans should play

ByMIKE RODAK
May 24, 2016, 12:05 PM

— -- Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley might be in charge of a roster of 90 men who play football, but he doesn't feel the game is something his players' bodies are designed to play.

"This is the game of football," he told WGR 550 radio. "Injuries are part of it. It's a violent game that I personally don't think humans are supposed to play."

Whaley's thoughts came as part of a larger response to a question about whether top receiver Sammy Watkins is injury-prone.

"I wouldn't say [he's injury-prone]. If you look at his game log, he's only missed three games. So is he injury-prone? I wouldn't say that. Are things going to come up with a guy like this? We hope that gets limited in the future," Whaley said, before stating his broader thoughts on football.

Watkins, who underwent surgery this offseason to repair a broken foot, was on crutches and had his left foot in a walking boot during the Bills' OTA practice Tuesday.

"These are going to come up," Whaley said in reference to Watkins after stating his thoughts on the game. "We trust in our medical staff and we trust in each individual athlete to do what they have to do to get back on the field."

Watkins is expected to miss training camp and the preseason, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported, but Whaley said Tuesday that the team currently does not expect Watkins to miss regular-season action.