Bills Unlikely To Pick Up WR Sammy Watkins’ Fifth-Year Option?

Vic Carucci is hearing that the Bills are unlikely to pick up WR Sammy Watkins‘ fifth-year option by next week’s deadline. Carucci says that the Bills aren’t interested in doing so while he’s still recovering from foot surgery.

Sal Capaccio of WGR550 previously reported that the Bills were still weighing what to do with Watkins’ option, but it appears as though he’s likely to enter the final year of his contract.

Doing so would cost Buffalo around $13 million for the 2018 season. However, this figure is guaranteed only for injury and won’t prevent them from working on a long-term extension over the next year.

Watkins underwent a second foot surgery back in January after struggling with the injury throughout the 2016 season.

Watkins, 23, was taken with the No. 4 overall pick back in 2014 after the Bills traded up to get him. He’s currently in the final year of his four-year, $19.935 million rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $3,138,491 in 2017.

In 2016, Watkins appeared in eight games for the Bills, recording 28 receptions for 430 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 47 receiver out of 115 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Watkins as the news is available.