Bills' Sammy Watkins re-injured rib vs. Lions, knocked out of game

The Buffalo Bills decided they wanted to get injured wide receiver Sammy Watkins some repetitions in a meaningless preseason game. It appears to be a bad decision.

Watkins suffered a bruised rib injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago, sat out last week but was given the go Thursday against the Detroit Lions. On the Bills' ninth offensive play, Watkins was hit on an incomplete pass by linebacker Ashlee Palmer and grabbed his ribs afterward.

Watkins left the game and did not return. You have to wonder if he'll be questionable for Week 1's game at the Chicago Bears.

[ Smack talk season is back at Yahoo Sports: Sign up and play free Fantasy Football!]

EJ Manuel was awful Thursday, as he had been all preseason. Sure, you want your quarterback and receiver to work together in game action, but the Bills have had five games, and Watkins had 35 snaps in three of them entering Thursday.

Was it necessary to play the rookie you ransomed the franchise's future to trade up for? The Bills made a mistake playing him. The hit from Palmer was your garden-variety NFL contact. If that aggravated Watkins, then the kid shouldn't have been out there Thursday evening.

Watkins is banged up, and never should have played. Manuel doesn't appear to be getting better. Head coach Doug Marrone can't feel too good about himself right now. He had better hope that Watkins heals thoroughly in the next 10 days or it could be another long season in Buffalo.

- - - - - - -

Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm