The Buffalo Bills are hard at work crafting their new identity under freshly-minted head coach Sean McDermott, and after one workout as a non-participant, it seems Sammy Watkins will be part of that process.
"Sammy looks good," McDermott told reporters on Monday, via ESPN.com.
He added: "There's been no setbacks. ... We expect him to keep attacking the rehab process, as he's been doing."
Watkins (foot) spent a majority of last season on injured reserve and only has one 16-game football year under his belt. By now, the team has been used to a vicious cycle -- dreaming about Watkins' talent, struggling to showcase it in their offense and lamenting it when it's gone due to injury. But the timing of these workouts under McDermott add a different element to the conversation.
The Bills are less than a month away from their deadline to pick up Watkins' fifth-year option. On the surface, this seems obvious given all that Buffalo has invested in him over the years. But with a new offensive coordinator and different mindset in town, will that opinion change?
Watkins, per ESPN, rode an exercise bike as part of his long slog back to the practice field. Like any other star position player with an injury of this ilk, it could be quite some time before we see him working in a full team capacity.
Until then, McDermott and his new staff will have to base their opinions off Watkins' preparedness in non-football drills, meetings and activity. Like the last coaching staff, it will be a waiting game.