The Buffalo Bills received some much-needed good news on Monday.
The team announced that three key players -- wideout Sammy Watkins and defensive linemen Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams -- have all passed their physicals and been lifted off the team's physically unable to perform list.
It was just a matter of time for Watkins, who passed his obligatory conditioning test in July after breaking a small bone in his foot this offseason. Dareus missed the first week of camp with an undisclosed injury after undergoing January foot surgery, while Williams was recovering from last November's meniscus operation.
The trio's progress serves as a boost for a Bills team that saw second-round linebacker Reggie Ragland go down last week with a knee injury. Ragland is set to undergo further testing, but coach Rex Ryan recently acknowledged that he is "very concerned" about the defender's status.
If you're a team in the AFC East -- tasked with toppling the Patriots -- everything must go right from September through January. There is zero margin for devastating injuries and drama. The Bills need Watkins, Dareus and Williams to stay healthy and make plays from wire to wire for any shot at the division.
Here are some other injuries we've been monitoring Monday:
- Bills coach Rex Ryan said he doesn't have an update on rookie linebacker Reggie Ragland, who was slated to receive a second opinion on his knee today, due to too much swelling. Ryan added left tackle Cordy Glenn has suffered a high-ankle sprain, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports. Rapoport adds though there doesn't seem to be any structural damage, Glenn will likely be sidelined for the preseaon. Also, Richie Incognito left practice early due to sore ribs.
- Chicago Bears center Hroniss Grasu suffered a torn ACL on Saturday and will miss the entire season, coach John Fox said. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) returned to practice.
- Wide receiver Jordan Matthews, who took a low hit to knee at practice last week, will be out for a few weeks with a bone bruise, Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. He added that he hopes Matthews will return by third preseason game.
- Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talibwill practice for the first time since suffering a gunshot wound to his leg, NFL Media's James Palmer reported.
- Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (ankle) passed his physical and has been moved to the active list from active/PUP and is expected to do some work during practice today.
- New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Terron Armstead (undisclosed soft tissue injury) was removed from the PUP list.
- Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said first-round pick Keanu Neal was held out of practice with a "trunk" injury. Quinn added tight end Levine Toilolo has a hand injury that requires a second opinion. Terron Ward is sidelined with a hand injury.
- Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (calf) and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (rib) returned to practice.
- New York Jets running back Khiry Robinson (leg), who began camp on the PUP list, was activated and took part in positional drills at practice. Wide receiver Eric Decker sat out practice because of leg soreness, Jets coach Todd Bowles said.
- Redskins coach Jay Gruden says receivers Josh Doctson, Reggie Diggs and Jamison Crowder, and tight end Derek Carrier will not play Thursday. Doctson and Carrier remain on the PUP list. Tackle Trent Williams is also likely out, Gruden added.
- Steelers cornerback Senquez Golson had surgery on his Lisfranc foot injury Monday and could be out for four months.
