Shortly after being made the Bills top draft choice Shaq Lawson maintained that his shoulder has not been an issue for him and that he wouldn't need surgery. Knowing the long term investment that Lawson is however, the Bills do not want to take any chances. The pass rusher is scheduled to undergo surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday.
The club released the following statement Monday afternoon.
"The Buffalo Bills are taking measures to prevent the possibility of Shaq Lawson aggravating a pre-existing shoulder condition during the season. While he could continue to play, the Bills medical staff has determined that surgery is the best course of action for the overall health of his shoulder moving forward. He had an occurrence of the condition last week, but that would not preclude him from participating in the offseason program. Shaq is scheduled for surgery tomorrow on his shoulder with a rehabilitation program to follow. A timetable for his return is still being established."
Bills GM Doug Whaley was particularly pleased that Lawson agreed to take this proactive measure.
"I want to take this opportunity to commend Shaq Lawson and his representatives for putting the team first by having this surgery on his shoulder done now," Whaley said. "By doing so, he's forsaking personal goals to be 100 percent healthy when we will need him most during the regular season. Fans constantly hear us say that we want players with tremendous character who keep team goals ahead of personal ones and Shaq is a great example of this."
Forecast by Whaley as a starting outside linebacker for the Bills, Lawson will admittedly have some ground to make up when he's cleared to return to full participation. Obviously the club felt it was more important to eliminate any lingering concerns about Lawson's shoulder now rather than be forced to potentially deal with them during the regular season.
