Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes hasn’t been seen at practice this training camp. He arrived with a strained calf and has been working with trainers for a couple weeks. On Saturday, we got the first sign that he could be close to a return.
Instead of working in the training room, Hughes was on the sideline for practice working with trainers. Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News said he was “moving around real well” during the drills.
In his place, the Bills have been running the young guns at his position. A.J. Epenesa and Greg Rousseau have received first-team reps and Efe Obada took some snaps with the starters on Saturday. (The media is typically barred from discussing the depth chart but Saturday was an open practice with fans in attendance.)
Hughes is entering the final year of his contract and approaching age 33 by the end of the month. With the investment the team made in the position over the last two NFL Drafts, it would be surprising if he’s cut this year but also somewhat surprising if he signs another deal.