Bills tight end Charles Clay underwent surgery earlier today to correct a torn meniscus and a sprained MCL, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. While Buffalo didn’t provide a specific return timeline for Clay, head coach Sean McDermott said Clay will be sidelined for multiple weeks, tweets Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.
Clay, 28, has been a major contributor to a limited Bills offense thus far in 2017, as he’s managed 20 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns through five games. He leads Buffalo in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and is second to LeSean McCoy in targets and receptions. The Bills are a run-heavy offense, so Clay’s 20 receptions represent 24% of quarterback Tyrod Taylor‘s completions.
Nick O’Leary, a sixth-round pick in 2015, is second to Clay in Buffalo tight end snaps, and he figures to soak up much of Clay’s playing time in the coming weeks. Former quarterback Logan Thomas should also be in the mix, while Khari Lee, who’s been inactive in all five contests this season, could also see usage. If the Bills want to make an outside addition, they could conceivably consider free agent Gary Barnidge, whom they hosted on a visit earlier this year.
Buffalo has a bye in Week 6, and will then face the Buccaneers, Raiders, Jets, and Saints over the next four weeks.