The Bills were going to take a cautious approach with top draft pick Shaq Lawson as he participated in his first team practices this week. But his performance in the practice setting was so impressive that he will make his NFL debut Sunday against Miami.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides all the details. Here is his report:
Bills top draft pick Shaq Lawson is going to be unleashed on division rival Miami this Sunday. The team elevated Lawson from the Reserve/PUP list to the 53-man roster Friday.
Head coach Rex Ryan said at the beginning of the week that they would ‘err on the side of caution’ knowing that Lawson had not taken part in a single team practice after a shoulder injury during rookie minicamp necessitated surgery. The first-round pick would go on to miss the entire offseason, training camp, the preseason and the first six regular season games after he was placed on the PUP list.
But on Lawson’s first day of practice he looked dominant by all accounts when he rotated in with the first team and had an interception on a pass to the flat by the scout team offense.
“I felt great out there,” he said. “I felt better than I’ve ever been. I felt completely healthy. It’s just great to be out there.”
By the end of Thursday’s practice Ryan was convinced that Lawson would have no problem stepping right into the game day lineup this Sunday.
“He’s going to be up,” said Ryan. I’ve seen enough. He looks pretty darn good out there. So he’s flying around and he looks like the guy that we drafted. You know, the guy that we wanted him to be. So we’ll see how he is once we get the live games going and all that, but there’s a reason we took him in the first round and he’s showing that on the practice field.”
Lawson was generally pleased with how his first week of practice went after a five-month layoff.
“They blended me in well,” said Lawson. “I did great with the playbook. That comes from being in the playbook all year. So it was kind of easy picking it up. There were just some little details I was learning from those guys in the meeting rooms. They helped me with the details to help make me a better player.”
Lawson is expected to rotate in for both Jerry Hughes and Lorenzo Alexander at outside linebacker and may also kick inside on passing downs to rush from an interior position.
Ryan and his defensive staff don’t want to give Lawson too much too fast, but his ability to impact a game is undeniable. After seeing it on display in practice this week, Buffalo’s defense may prove to be even more imposing.
The possibilities have Lawson supremely excited for Sunday’s game.
“It’s been a while. I’m not going to be able to sleep Saturday,” Lawson told Buffalobills.com. “It’s been a long time since I’ve played. I’m ready to get out there and join these guys and keep it going.”
To make room on the 53-man roster for Lawson, the Bills released G Gabe Ikard.
Bills call up TE Garner, waive TE Christian
Buffalo also called TE Manasseh Garner up from the practice squad Friday. To make room on the roster the Bills released TE Gerald Christian.
Garner is a tight end capable of playing fullback. He’s seen as insurance behind FB Jerome Felton, who is questionable for Sunday’s game with a back injury. Felton did practice on a limited basis Friday.