With just five training camp practices remaining this year, the Buffalo Bills are getting a bit healthier heading into their pre-season opener against the Washington Redskins on Thursday. One player that's still missing time, right tackle Erik Pears, also has gotten a good prognosis, according to head coach Chan Gailey.

"Yeah, it looks good to be honest with you," Gailey told reporters Monday. "He saw the specialist and he gave him some things to work with, and it looks like it is going to pay dividends... I think it looks a lot better than it did three days ago. That is for sure."

Gailey also indicated that in the likely event that Pears missing Thursday's game, Chris Hairston and Sam Young would split first-team reps at right tackle.

The only two players that joined Pears on the sidelines on Monday were tight end Mike Caussin, who remains on Active/PUP, and cornerback Justin Rogers.

David Nelson returned to practice, but did not participate in team activities and is unlikely to suit up for Thursday's game, per several reports. Torell Troup continued his up-and-down health issues, returning to team activities for a very brief period on Monday after not even being on the field for Saturday's workout.

Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Chris Kelsay and Bryan Scott all returned in full after missing Saturday's workout.

Finally, Gailey also indicated that several of the team's projected starters that have been slowly re-incorporated into practices are unlikely to play against Washington. That list of players includes center Eric Wood, Nelson, and cornerback Terrence McGee, and will likely include Troup before the week is out, as well, though Gailey did not specifically mention Troup by name on Monday.