64 Richie Incognito C

The Bills released Incognito from their reserve/retired list Monday.

Incognito announced in April that he planned to retire, but Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Incognito has since changed his mind and wants to continue his playing career. Since the Bills still held his rights after placing him on the reserve/retired list, Incognito's release means he's longer affiliated with Buffalo, making the veteran lineman free to sign with any team.

The Bills officially placed Incognito on their reserve/retired list Thursday, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News reports.

On short notice, Incognito told the NFL Players Association of his intentions to retire earlier this week, citing health issues related to the stress of the game and a diet that had become too reliant on protein and carbohydrates. We also know he's unhappy with a recent pay cut, so there's a chance he reconsiders with several months to go before the 2018 season. If Incognito does leave the game, his absence leaves the Bills in a major bind, given that the team already traded offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, while long-time stud Eric Wood had to retire over health issues himself. The Bills made the playoffs last season, but the offense struggled much of the way and it looks like the team could end up starting mostly from scratch for 2018, other than LeSean McCoy.

Incognito revealed Tuesday that he plans to retire, citing stress and other related health issues, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News reports. "I'm done, I'm done, that's it," said Incognito. "It's been a long career. My liver and kidneys are shutting down. Nothing I can't restore with some balance, but the stress is killing me.

Best known for his role in the 2013 Miami Dolphins bullying controversy, Incognito spent 2014 out of football but then returned to play at a high level while starting all 48 games for Buffalo the past three seasons. He'll turn 35 in July and wouldn't have had much chance at a deep playoff run with the Bills in 2018. It's a major loss for LeSean McCoy, who already saw his starting center from last season, Eric Wood, forced into retirement due to a neck injury. Even if he gets some help in the draft, McCoy likely will be stuck in an undermanned offense this upcoming season.

Incognito has confirmed a report that he and Jacksonville's Yannick Ngakoue met at the Pro Bowl this week and cleared the air on the controversy stemming from words exchanged between the two players during the Jaguars' playoff victory over the Bills, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News reports.

Ngakoue accused Incognito of using a racial slur during the game, though Incognito's teammates on the field said they never heard the veteran say another derogatory toward the Jacksonville player other than typical trash talk. The league is said to be still looking into the incident, though Incognito says he thinks it is behind both players and another source said the NFL is ready to move on without disciplinary action. A simple misunderstanding would certainly be good news for the Bills, who have several holes to fill during the offseason and just lost starting center Eric Wood, who will have to retire due to neck problems.

Incognito (shoulder) returned to Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Incognito left Sunday's tilt momentarily after suffering a minor shoulder, but he was able to return in a timely manner.