Bills’ wide receiver Sammy Watkins set to make preseason debut

 It’s been a tough preseason for the Buffalo Bills, so the return of wide receiver Sammy Watkins to game action is welcome.

Injuries and suspensions have plagued the Buffalo Bills through training camp and the preseason, so any good new is clearly welcome. After Monday’s news about offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, as he makes his way back from Crohn’s disease, one of the Bills’ best players is fully back from injury. According to ESPN’s Mike Rodak, Bills’ head coach Rex Ryan said wide receiver Sammy Watkins is scheduled to make his preseason debut Friday night against the Washington Redskins.

This report follows Monday’s news about offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, as he makes his way back from Crohn’s disease.

After foot surgery in April, Watkins has made steady, documented progress toward being ready for Week 1. He was taken off the PUP list and returned to practice on Aug. 8, but the team exercised some caution with his return to game action. The third, “dress rehearsal” preseason game is the time to see what Watkins can do, but it will be worth watching how long he plays Friday night. Based on Ryan’s comment to reporters, it may only be a series or two before Watkins calls it a night.

Watkins made a public plea for more targets in the middle of last season, as wide receivers are prone to do, and he subsequently went on a tear over the final nine games. Despite missing three games early last season, Watkins still led the Bills in receptions (60), targets (95), receiving yards (1,047) and receiving touchdowns (nine).

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Having Watkins ready for action is great news for the Bills. But the way this preseason has gone so far, they will surely be crossing their fingers he has no setbacks with his foot before the games count.