WR Stevie Johnson expected to play Buffalo Bills season opener – NFL News
Buffalo Bills and their fans got a worrying sign on Thursday, September 06, 2012, when their star wide receiver Stevie Johnson failed to attend the practice session.
However, Bills head coach Chan Gailey came forward and gave some relief to the fans after the practice session as he informed that Johnson was intentionally kept out of the practice as a precaution and most probably would play in the season opener on Sunday.
Gailey said:
“He got tight yesterday. He could’ve gone out there today, but we kept him out. We think he’ll be back out (Friday) and be back Saturday and be ready to go Sunday. That’s what we think. That’s what’s anticipated.”
Johnson got a little notch while practising on Wednesday, September 05. He tweeted the same evening that he had a hard fall on the ground.
Bills took the precautionary measure of not allowing their only prime receiver to get full practice, though the player did show up riding bicycle on the sidelines.
Johnson himself believes he will be ready to play the Bills Week 1 game against New York Jets on Sunday, September 09. He said:
“I could’ve went out there (Thursday), but coach said, ‘We’ll sit you for this one,’ so I have a couple of more days to get it right and then I’ll be out there. I’m expecting to play and do everything I’ve got to do in the training room to be out there (Sunday),”
Gailey did not negate the fact that he got worried after his receiver went to the ground.
Johnson missed most of the offseason to recover from his groin injury. He went through a surgical procedure during the start of the offseason which was followed by a long rehabilitation process.
Johnson’s groin and hand injury greatly affected his output during the 2008 season, but coach Gailey is hoping that this would not be the case this season.
Johnson covered more than 1,000 yards last season and scored seven touchdowns. He was drafted by Bills in the seventh round (224th overall pick) of the 2008 draft.
Since Johnson is the only quality player in the Bills wide receiving corps, his absence will massively affect their prospects not only for the season opener, but also for the rest of the season.
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