We should learn more about the health of the Buffalo Bills’ group of wide receivers soon. Robert Woods left the game on Sunday after being rolled up but there is reason for optimism with Woods and his running mate, Sammy Watkins.
Now having spent eight weeks on injured reserve, Watkins is eligible to join practice again, but the Bills didn’t bring him back right away. Linebacker Preston Brown was optimistic about Watkins’ condition following Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, saying that Sammy was “probably coming back next week,” but ultimately his readiness will be determined by medical professionals.
Sammy Watkins scheduled for a CT scan on foot Tuesday. A lot will be determined about his status this year based on those results.
— Sal Capaccio (@SalSports) November 20, 2016
If (and it’s a big if) Watkins is deemed healthy, he can immediately resume practicing with the team and possibly be activated from injured reserve. The Bills haven’t had the luxury of easing players onto the roster, working newly-signed players like Percy Harvin and James Ihedigbo on the field the same week they joined the team, so it’s likely Watkins would be playing on Sunday if he’s able to practice. His return would potentially be a massive boost to a passing offense that struggles without a number one target.
Watkins’ replacement as the top receiver, Robert Woods, is also in doubt for the remainder of the season. His knee injury suffered against the Bengals wasn’t severe enough to prevent him from walking off the field, and the degree of damage will determine when he could play again.
Hearing that Robert Woods knee injury is not season ending. Left stadium on crutches. He'll be re-evaluated on Monday. #Bills
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) November 21, 2016
At 5-5, the Bills have almost no room for error at the close of the season. A speedy recovery for both of these players would ease the burden on the offense as they try to win out their remaining games.
The injury pattern with the Bills is a recurring theme. Last season saw broken ribs for Watkins, a season-ending hip injury for Percy Harvin, a nagging foot injury for Woods, and a season-ending rib injury for Marquise Goodwin. This year, number three receiver Greg Salas was lost for the season in week three, Woods missed some time with a foot injury, and Watkins barely saw the field before dropping onto injured reserve with complications from his broken foot. The injuries have the Bills using the likes of Walter Powell and Reggie Bush as receivers.
UPDATE:
#Bills WR Robert Woods, who has emerged as their top pass-catching threat, suffered a knee sprain, source said. Could miss some time.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 21, 2016
Good news, I guess.