The first -- and likely last -- season for Percy Harvin in Buffalo has ended.
The Bills have announced that Harvin has been placed on injured reserve. Taking his roster spot will be cornerback Leodis McKelvin, who has been activated from the reserve/non-football injury list.
Harvin started the first five games of the season, catching 19 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. He also ran the ball five times for 31 yards.
He then missed Week Six with a hip injury. In Week Seven, the Bills claimed that Harvin was absent for personal reason. From Harvin’s perspective, there were no personal reasons, only a lingering hip injury.
Then, after the bye week, Harvin landed on the injury report with a knee problem instead of a hip injury, which made no sense since he hadn’t been practicing or playing. (He could have injured the knee while rehabbing the hip problem.)
Ultimately, Harvin could be released from IR, if/when his injury heals. Otherwise, he’ll receive the balance of his $2.9 million base salary from the Bills.
It’s hard not to wonder whether there’s more to the story on this one, primarily since with Harvin there’s always more to the story. If, for example, the Bills were thinking about simply cutting him, Harvin’s camp could have suggested the IR approach, with the understanding that he’d be later waived. The end result would make the separation less conspicuous, and in turn enhance Harvin’s chances of getting an opportunity elsewhere.
On one hand, Harvin may be out of opportunities. On the other hand, Harvin has the kind of talent that could lure a team into giving him yet another chance to fulfill his potential.
