The Buffalo Bills are still recovering from another narrow loss in the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs.
On Friday afternoon, they received unfortunate news as offensive tackle Tommy Doyle announced his retirement, according to the team’s official X account.
Tommy Doyle Retiring From The NFL
According to the Bills’ official website, Tommy Doyle recently sustained an injury that caused nerve damage in his left leg, ultimately making a return to football impossible for the former fifth-round pick.
“At this point, with the timeline and healing process, it appears to be permanent,” Doyle said on Friday while announcing his retirement. “I’m just not able to play football at a high level anymore, and it’s time. When you know, you know.”
Doyle reflected on his journey, noting that he had been working hard to recover from a previous ACL injury when he suffered an even more devastating setback. “There were a lot of negative emotions and anger, but after a lot of reflection, I’ve realized I’ve learned valuable lessons from it.”
Expressing his love for the game, Doyle acknowledged the effort he put into returning to the field but accepted that his path had taken a different turn. “Football is something I’ve loved and dedicated my life to, but in the end, this isn’t the plan God has for me. I know that for sure. Now is the right time to announce it and move forward.”
Doyle’s Injuries Prevented Him From Capitalizing On A Strong Debut Season
Injuries consistently hampered the former Miami (Ohio) product, with severe knee issues preventing the offensive tackle from playing a single snap in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Doyle, a career backup in Buffalo, showed some promise in his rookie year as a fifth-round pick in 2021, appearing in 11 games without a start. His most memorable moment came during the Bills’ dominant 47-17 Wild Card victory over the New England Patriots in January 2022, when he caught a one-yard touchdown.
Even without Doyle, the Bills’ offensive line remained among the league’s best in 2024, ranking fourth on Pro Football Network’s end-of-season list. Former second-round pick Dion Dawkins has developed into one of the league’s top tackles, while savvy free-agent additions like guard David Edwards and center Connor McGovern have outperformed expectations.
Encouragingly for Buffalo fans, despite the team being over $12 million above the salary cap, none of the offensive linemen are set to hit free agency. In fact, only three full-time starters—receiver Mack Hollins, safety Damar Hamlin, and cornerback Rasul Douglas—are scheduled to depart this offseason.
Still, it’s always unfortunate when a player is forced into early medical retirement, especially one so young. Hopefully, Doyle has promising opportunities lined up for the next phase of his career.
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