The Buffalo Bills are expecting a lot from Sammy Watkins. The team needs their top wide receiver along with the rest of the position players to help bail out their under-performing quarterbacks. Right now, the team is not happy with their production at the quarterback position despite having four players on the roster battling, so it is essential the rest of the offense steps up. Injuries could be a main hindrance to that effort.
Watkins continues to be inconsistent on the field thanks to injuries. When he is healthy, Watkins is the best player on the Bills' roster. However, already this training camp, he has been dealing with issues. According to the Buffalo News, Watkins is "nicked up" and continues to leave practice early due to soreness. The receiver has tried to downplay any issues stressing that he is healthy and will play in the preseason game.
Watkins health will be critical to the Bills. With EJ Manuel, Tyrod Taylor, Matt Cassel and Matt Simms battling to start at quarterback, they need all of the weapons they can get, something the Bills took to heart this offseason. Joining other top receivers Watkins and Robert Woods is Percy Harvin, Charles Clay and running back LeSean McCoy. According to head coach Rex Ryan, the biggest different maker could be McCoy as the Bills push the run game. If McCoy gets injured, Boobie Dixon and Bryce Brown will be forced to step up as Fred Jackson sits out the next two weeks. For now, it is the McCoy show.
"He's not just a shake and bake guy and all that," said Ryan, via the team's official website. "He can stick it in there and that was good to see."
The biggest question the team must answer is at the quarterback spot. The Bills will not enter the season with four players at the position. According to NFL.com, Cassel is getting the starting nod for the first preseason game. Rant Sports takes it a step further saying Manuel is third on the depth chart with Taylor coming in at second. If Buffalo opts to only take two quarterbacks into the season, will they admit mistake and release Manuel. That seems unlikely considering this is his third season in the league, but if Taylor continues to outplay him there is always a chance. Never put anything past Ryan.