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 news conference Friday 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. 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’s explanation for any of his players’ injuries.
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.