On Thursday, nearly two weeks after suddenly being tapped by coach Rex Ryan to run the Buffalo Bills' offense, coordinator Anthony Lynn was asked if he had an opportunity to take a deep breath after being given his new job.

"My answer will be short," he said with a smile. "No."

A little over 24 hours later, Lynn's life didn't become any easier when the Bills decided to place arguably their best offensive player, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, on injured reserve.

The decision isn't surprising given the ominous tone Ryan struck Friday when speaking about Watkins, and it seems to be the right call given how Watkins' foot injury hasn't allowed him to practice in over two weeks.

Unlike in years past, placing Watkins on injured reserve doesn't necessarily end his season. Under an NFL rule proposed by the Bills and passed by owners at the league meetings in March, teams can now have any one player placed on IR after the 53-man cutdown return to practice after six weeks (Nov. 11 in Watkins' case) and play after eight weeks (Nov. 27 vs. Jacksonville in Watkins' case). Previously, the NFL required teams to designate such a player right away; under the rule change, the Bills can use the exception on Watkins or someone else down the road.

The flexibility is important in Watkins’ case because of the uncertain nature of his foot injury. General manager Doug Whaley told WGR 550 this week that doctors don’t believe Watkins risks further structural damage to his foot if he plays on it, and that Watkins’ injury was considered more of a week-to-week concern about discomfort. The belief is that there isn’t anything to be surgically fixed in Watkins’ foot -- it’s just a matter of giving him rest and treatment, and seeing how he responds.

Why is this suddenly an issue for the Bills, after signs were positive for Watkins as recently as a month ago? The team limited Watkins' practice time in training camp and gave him only 10 preseason snaps in an effort to allow his foot to fully heal. When he ramped things up by playing 42 snaps in the regular-season opener, his foot became sore. He was able to play 40 snaps in the Bills' Week 2 loss to the Jets but hasn't practiced or played since because of lingering soreness.

Instead of trying to get Watkins ready for a game each of the coming weeks, and continuing to not see results in their treatments, the Bills can now dial things back with Watkins and hope that the issue clears up by early November. If it doesn't, there is a chance that Watkins simply remains on injured reserve for the balance of the season.

In either case, Lynn has his hands full as the Bills' new play caller. He was successful in his debut, a 33-18 upset win Sunday over the Arizona Cardinals, but the passing offense was hardly the reason. The Bills were limited to a net total of 89 passing yards and quarterback Tyrod Taylor was held to a career-low (as a starter) 51.9 quarterback rating.

The Bills claimed former second-round pick Justin Hunter off waivers Friday from the Miami Dolphins. If Hunter can become even a fraction of what the Tennessee Titans expected him to be when they drafted him in 2013, then Hunter will be a welcome addition. Otherwise, expect the Bills to turn to a combination of fourth-year speedster Marquise Goodwin and preseason star Walter Powell in Watkins' absence, with veteran Greg Salas added to that mix whenever he returns from a groin injury that will keep him out this Sunday in New England.

There's also tight end Charles Clay, the Bills' $24.5 million man who was limited to two targets and no catches last Sunday, even with Watkins sidelined. Ryan and Lynn both said this week that Clay's lack of production was more a factor of game situations and Taylor not getting him the ball than it was Clay not getting open. Either way, the onus will be on Lynn and Taylor to get the tight end more involved in the passing game.

No matter where the Bills turn, they won't have Watkins. The dynamic talent that the Bills traded up to select fourth overall in 2014 has been electric when he's been healthy. In preparing for Watkins earlier this season, Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees compared him to Randy Moss. Yet Watkins has battled several injuries over his brief career -- to his ribs, hip, calf, ankle, and now foot -- and he hasn't been able to consistently stay on the field or remain healthy.