Despite sitting out Organized Team Activities and Mandatory Minicamp follow foot surgery in April, it now appears that Sammy Watkins could be back in action sooner than expected.
During the offseason training sessions, the Bills did not give a timetable for Watkins’ return to the field, however Head Coach Rex Ryan said he didn’t expect the star receiver to miss any regular season games.
“Nobody knows what timetable, what or when I’ll be back,” Watkins said back on June 1.
But, now it appears the third year receiver could be back in time for training camp.
“For training camp, I think I’ll definitely be available. How they handle me might be different. I might sit out two or three days. It all depends how I feel within those days. The goal is to come back and be prepared for training camp,” he told TSN on Sunday.
Watkins, who has had numerous injuries since his rookie year in 2014, missed three games a year ago.
When he returned to action in Week 10, the former first round pick averaged 100 yards and a touchdown per game, eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old, who had hip surgery during the 2015 offseason, missed two games for a lingering calf injury and another due to an ankle injury.
“It is part of the game, being aggressive, running full speed, playing full speed and I mean, it’s a physical sport. Part of me says I have to take care of my body also with soft tissue injuries,” he said. “Really knowing and understanding your body, once I figure my body out and do what I need to do, what type of food I need to keep myself on the field.”
The Bills open training camp on July 30 at St. John Fisher College.
