The final week of OTAs saw a duo of players return to action after some long layoffs due to major surgery, and a rookie was back from a sprained knee suffered three weeks ago.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
It had been nine months since Reggie Ragland was full go in a Bills practice. His last time on the field and full go was in early August at training camp last summer when he tore the ACL in his left knee. On Thursday Ragland was a full participant working in all team periods. For him it was a welcome return to action.
“It’s a big difference being out there and then watching it on the sideline,” said Ragland. “When you’re out there everything is moving so fast. You’ve got to get used to things before everybody slows down. But it felt good to get back out there after nine or 10 months of sitting and watching. It felt real good.”
Ragland, who worked with the second team defense at middle linebacker, said it took him a couple of series before his natural instincts kicked in again.
“Once it started to come I started filling up the gaps and the holes and dropping in my coverage,” he said. “It felt real good.”
Ragland admits he has a new perspective on the game he loves after it was taken away from him for three quarters of a calendar year.
“Take nothing for granted,” he said. “Coming out of the combine last year I was on a high. Being projected real high and being a second rounder, but it’s a blessing just to get drafted. But now I’m just out there having fun and taking it day by day.”
The linebacker realizes he’s got some catching up to do with main competitor Preston Brown who has seen all the reps with the first unit. For now he’s just getting settled back in and adjusted to a very new defense than the one he walked into as a rookie.
Linebacker roles
This was the first full week that Gerald Hodges was in the fold. Last year in San Francisco he played inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but Hodges will learn a couple of positions according to head coach Sean McDermott.
“Right now, Reggie (Ragland), Gerald (Hodges) and Preston (Brown) are all working inside,” McDermott said. “Gerald is working a little bit outside as well, so over time, we’ll know. That’ll work itself out. Competition is good and healthy for all of us.”
In practice Thursday, Brown ran with the starting unit at middle linebacker, Ragland followed with the second unit and Hodges ran with the third string. But Hodges was playing on the strong side with Jacob Lindsey at middle backer. He also was one of the nickel linebackers in third team nickel.
“We are really impressed with the way he’s adjusted schematically in just a couple of practices,” said McDermott of Hodges. “Last week, he took it upon himself to learn the system and came in this week and showed us that he studied last week when he wasn’t in the building. That’s been a good start.”
Watkins back sooner than expected
Sammy Watkins returned to action for the first time since his second foot surgery at the close of the 2016 season. Watkins was limited to individual position drills, but he was not expected to participate in practice until training camp. Head coach Sean McDermott was cautiously optimistic, but would not call Watkins ahead of schedule.
“He started Tuesday with the individual drills only, and he’s done a nice job,” McDermott said. “Credit to Sammy, credit to our training staff and the way he’s attacked the rehab with them. That has to continue, though. This is one step in that process of getting Sammy back to where he needs to be and where we need him to be.
“It’s one day at a time at this point, it really is, it’s one rep at a time, one day at a time, and we’ll just take it like that. We’re going to get him in the summer, and then we’ll have a plan in place in terms of what’ll take place between now and the time he reports back to training camp, just like we’ll do with all the players.”
Jones back in the fold
Rookie Zay Jones returned from his knee injury in practice Monday where he was limited to only individual position drills. After he came through that participation at half speed he felt good, so the coaches and athletic training staff let him do a little more on Tuesday and then on Thursday, much like Ragland he was a full participant.
Jones said he wasn’t hurt bad at all, but this time of year there was no sense in rushing back.
“The guidance I’ve had from my coaches and training staff just being smart and taking extra precautions… things happen all the time,” said Jones. “It could happen to me or anyone, so just being smart with where we are in the season right now and move forward.”
The rookie receiver had a pair of receptions during the team portions of practice. On one he was coming back to the quarterback and although Tyrod Taylor’s pass was a little high he snared it for the catch. Laster he pulled in a well-placed pass from Cardale Jones as he found the soft spot behind the linebacker and underneath the safety for a 20-yard pass play.
The NFL announced on Thursday that wide receiver Walter Powell will be suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season.
STATEMENT BY AN NFL SPOKESPERSON:
Walter Powell of the Buffalo Bills has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2017 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.
Powell will be eligible to return to the Bills’ active roster on Monday, October 2 following the team’s October 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Powell is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.