The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... The Bills were aware of Taylor's core muscle surgery this week and involved in the process to have it done, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Diehards Line: Taylor underwent the procedure Thursday in Philadelphia after dealing with a groin injury late in the season. The Bills issued a statement Thursday worded in a way that seemed to distance the team from the decision to have surgery. However, sources told Schefter that the surgery was not a surprise to the Bills and that team doctors recommended Taylor visit Meyers. The team was "fully aware" of the possibility of surgery and Taylor did not act independently from the Bills, sources said. Taylor's recovery is expected to take six to eight weeks, or possibly longer, sources told Schefter. The timing of Taylor's recovery is important because he has a clause in his contract that guarantees him his full $27.5 million base salary in 2017 if the Bills release him "due to a professional football injury suffered while performing his services under this Contract [and] Player is unable, in the sole judgment of Club's physicians, to perform his playing services for Club." The Bills have until March 11 to pick up Taylor's option for the 2018-2021 seasons that would guarantee him $30.75 million. If he remains on the roster March 12, Taylor will be guaranteed $27.5 million for the 2017 season. Schefter added that when the Bills didn't play Taylor in their regular-season finale on Sunday against the Jets, it sent the message that the team does not intend to pick up the option.