Watkins reduced to footnote in Bills’ plans
Buffalo Bills fans waiting for Sammy Watkins are starting to feel a bit like Vladimir and Estragon waiting for Godot.
Great expectations, followed by a big nothing.
The Bills receiver missed last week’s game. Just a “tired” foot had been Watkins’ explanation. No worries. Yet this week, again, there was no Watkins at practice.
You would think if his foot was just tired it would wake up for the big game Sunday against the New England Patriots. But, no.
Instead, after Watkins said chances of him missing games because of his surgically repaired foot were “out the window,” it turns out what actually is out the window are his chances of playing.
Watkins had his foot stepped on in practice, and now the truth is that he could be sidelined for the season. Coach Rex Ryan said in his Friday news conference there was a “major concern” about Watkins and that proved to be optimistic when later in the afternoon the club placed him on injured reserve.
The fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft, Watkins has struggled with injuries and now won’t be able to return for at least eight weeks. In his first two seasons, Watkins dealt with hip, calf, rib and groin injuries.
When he has been able to play, Watkins has been one of the top young receivers in the league with 131 receptions for 2,092 yards and 15 touchdowns. But in one game this season, against the Jets, Watkins wasn’t a downfield threat and Ryan admitted Friday, he’s uncertain when — or if — Watkins might return.
INS AND OUTS
Jerry Jones just won’t admit that Dez Bryant doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Unlike the Cowboys, the Jets admit a star receiver will be gone Sunday.
Jets coach Todd Bowles told reporters Friday that Eric Decker has a partially torn rotator cuff and will not play Sunday.
Decker has nine catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns this season but his status is “week to week” with a possibility he could need surgery.
Jones, meantime, wouldn’t rule Bryant out Sunday despite an MRI showing he has a hairline fracture in his knee. “It’s the ability to perform with pain,” Jones said.
But, then, short of amputation, that’s pretty much Jones’ explanation for any of his players’ injuries. Remember Tony Romo? That was supposed to be just a “pain” thing, too. When it comes to admitting one of his stars is too hurt to play, Jones is the definitive Dr. No.
THE HURT LOCKER
The Cleveland Browns list defensive backs Joe Haden (groin) and Ibraheim Campbell (hamstring) as questionable Sunday ... Detroit’s Marvin Jones, the league’s leading receiver with 408 yards, tweaked a hamstring but practised Friday and is expected to play ... Jaguars’ Julius Thomas (elbow) was limited in practice Friday and no decision on if he plays is expected until Sunday morning. Cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring) is set to play for the first time since the season opener ... Colts coach Chuck Pagano said cornerback Darius Butler (hamstring) and receiver Donte Moncrief (shoulder) are out this week.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Emmanuel Sanders says he doesn’t care if people believe he’s a prima donna for wanting more passes thrown his way.
The Broncos receiver allowed he felt “some frustration” about not being targeted much the first two weeks. “Hey, I don’t mind being a diva,” Sanders told ESPN.com. “I am a diva. I am a diva. I like winning ball games, I like catching passes.”
QUICK HITS
Talent agency WME-IMG recently purchased the UFC for $4 billion. Friday it was announced that as part of that purchase, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Patriots owner Robert Kraft have bought small stakes in the mixed martial arts promotion ... Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown, who was inspired by the golfer, will wear Arnold Palmer’s face on his shoes this week ... Bowles is confident that Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will rebound from his six-interception game. “Yeah,” he said, “you can’t play any worse.”