Buffalo Bills centre Eric Wood to retire after neck injury
Friday 26 January 2018 18:03, UK
Buffalo Bills’ starting centre Eric Wood has been forced to retire after being diagnosed with a career-ending neck injury.
The Bills announced the news on their official website on Friday after the discovery was made during Wood's end-of-season medical examination.
In a team-issued statement, Wood said: "After consultation with Dr. Cappuccino [Buffalo's doctor] and other physicians, I was informed that I was no longer cleared to play football, even with surgery or further treatment.
"I appreciate and thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers, and I will shed more light on the situation at a press conference on Monday at the team facility."
The 31-year-old, who featured at the 2015 Pro Bowl, signed a two-year contract extension last summer that would have kept him in Buffalo through to 2019.
Wood has started 120 games for the Bills after being selected 28th overall in the 2009 NFL draft and was the franchise's second longest serving player.
