Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver is mourning the loss of his 2-year-old son.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Houston announced on June 28 that an unidentified toddler had been transported to a local hospital following a swimming pool incident.
Saturday afternoon, the Houston Chronicle reported the child who drowned at the Oliver family home in the Huffman area was Ed Oliver III.
The Bills sent their thoughts to the family on Saturday.
“On behalf of the entire Buffalo Bills organization, we want to publicly express our condolences to Ed Oliver and his family on the devastating loss of his son,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said in a statement. “It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss.”
NFL Network reported Oliver and his family are asking for “privacy and prayers at this very difficult time.”
Oliver, 28, did not travel with the team to Cleveland for Saturday’s preseason game against the Browns, due to an unspecified injury. First-year head coach Joe Brady said earlier this week that Oliver was among the injured Bills though he did not provide details.
The defensive tackle played last week in the first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, but he has missed some practices since, including a joint practice with the Browns on Thursday.
Oliver has recorded 30 sacks, 243 tackles and nine forced fumbles in 95 career games (86 starts) since being selected by the Bills with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Houston.
He appeared in only three games last season due to an ankle injury and torn left biceps.