ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills receiver Mike Williams will be released once he recovers from a left calf injury.

The team provided the clarification on Wednesday, a day after Williams was not claimed off the waived-injured list. Once Williams is released, the Bills won't have to pay the final four years of his contract. The fifth-year player was due to make a $5.2 million base salary next season.

The Bills gave up a sixth-round draft pick to acquire the Buffalo native in a trade with Tampa Bay in April. He was inactive in four of Buffalo's past eight games and has eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown this season.

Defensive end Mario Williams and backup tackle Chris Hairston missed practice Wednesday because of illness.

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