The Buffalo Bills still have not had a full-contact training camp practice, yet they're already banged up. Monday evening, head coach Chan Gailey spoke to reporters about the injuries and when we can expect to see some players back on the field.
Both Kelvin Sheppard (pulled hamstring) and Marcus Easley (hyperextended knee) are out for at least a week, according to coach Gailey. Both would have likely seen significant time against the Chicago Bears on August 13, but with limited time to prepare, both are going to behind.
"Sheppard is going to be out for a little while," Gailey said. "I think at least a week, and then we’ll re-evaluate at the end of the week."
Easley missed his entire rookie season after suffering an injury in training camp. Easley wants a different record to play, but the wideout was doing all he could yesterday, including hand drills with receivers coach Stan Hixon, while wearing his knee brace.
"It’s a big setback for him and it hurts our football team because we’d like to know what he can do," said Gailey. "We didn’t get a real good look at him last year, and obviously we don’t have a very good look at him now. It hurts him and it hurts us, but it’s one of the things you go through. That’s life in the league."
Another Bill who has been in the news is undrafted defensive back Domonic Cook. Cook collapsed after his first NFL practice, but was OK the next day. In practice yesterday, the former UB Bull hobbled to the locker room after sustaining a knee injury in seven on seven work.
"He tweaked his knee is what he told me," said Gailey. "They took him in for more examination, so I’ll find out more tonight or tomorrow morning."
Easley and Cook have an uphill climb to make the roster at some very deep positions. This is certainly a blow to their ability to impress the coaches. | UPDATE: Cook could miss 4-6 Weeks with torn meniscus - Buffalo News
It's not all bad news on the injury front, though. Reggie Corner was activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list yesterday, and practiced for the first time all season.
"I had a little ankle tweak, but it’s feeling a lot better now," Corner told BuffaloBills.com. "We’ll continue to rehab it to get it better and put a lot more pressure on it. Whatever I’ve got to do to get it better and help the team I’ll do."
"It was good to get him back on the field," said Gailey. "It was good to see him. We’ll work him in slowly to make sure we’re smart with him, but it looked like he did a pretty good job. I’ll have to go watch the tape."
With Corner activated, offensive lineman Cordaro Howard is the lone player still on the PUP list. He was out on the field yesterday watching.
One last note on the injury front: Bills assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach Dave Wannstedt is wearing a brace on his wrist and walking with a noticeable hitch in his gait.
The Bills will hold an open practice from 3:20 to 5:30 PM today. The event is free, and you do not need a ticket to attend.