All along, the plan has been to get Sammy Watkins back healthy for the start of the regular season but we knew it would mean at least a little work in training camp. Now we have a report on when that will be.
Hearing #Bills are targeting Monday, Aug. 8 for Sammy Watkins' return to practice from foot surgery.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) August 2, 2016
In less than a week, we’ll see the star wide receiver back on the field at St. John Fisher in a limited capacity, reports The Buffalo News. Watkins passed his conditioning test early in camp but has only been doing rehab work and running in a straight line.
Watkins’ injury was first reported in May, saying he had surgery in April. The timeline at that stage also said Watkins would be ready for the start of training camp, something the receiver himself said in late June. If Watkins does return on August 8th, he will have missed a week and a half of training camp.
The most important piece of this story is that Watkins is healthy. The second-most important piece is his chemistry with Tyrod Taylor, which didn’t come instantly a year ago. The two spent extra time together in London while both were sidelined with ailments. It will be good to get Watkins back to running routes in practice, even if he doesn’t end up playing in much of the preseason which begins just a few days after Watkins return when Buffalo hosts the Indianapolis Colts on August 13th.