Here's a bit of good news on this lovely Wednesday afternoon, Buffalo Bills fans: second-year right guard Eric Wood may be returning to the practice field by the end of next week.
The report comes directly from Bills head coach Chan Gailey, via Chris Brown's blog at BuffaloBills.com. According to Brown, while praising his re-structured strength and conditioning staff, Gailey indicated that Wood could practice before the end of next week's mandatory mini-camp, which runs from Wednesday through Friday. That mini-camp will be the team's last organized activities before training camp opens on July 29.
The news is also good for Demetrius Bell, who is ahead of schedule at this point in time as well.
Even if the team errs on the side of caution and holds Wood out of next week's mandatory mini-camp, it seems certain at this point that Wood will be ready for the start of training camp. Wood was lost to a gruesome leg injury he suffered in a Week 11 loss to Jacksonville last November, and has been rehabbing for the past seven months.
Wood's return would solidify Buffalo's interior line alongside projected starters at left guard (Andy Levitre) and center (Geoff Hangartner). Kirk Chambers has been taking first-team reps at right guard in place of Wood during June OTAs.