Less than two months after undergoing groin surgery, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson said he's "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery. The team had planned to hold him until training camp opens up, but Johnson's rapid recovery could allow him to participate in next week's mandatory minicamp, Tim Graham of The Buffalo News reported Monday.
"I'm ready to go," Johnson said. "They said it was about six to eight (weeks), but I'm feeling like I'm ready to be out there, and I think we're moving towards that next week."
A seventh-round pick out of Kentucky in 2008, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Johnson emerged as the Bills' top receiver over the last two seasons, catching 158 passes for 2,077 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Bills kept Johnson off the free-agent market by giving him a five-year, $36.25 million contract extension in early March.
Having Johnson healthy for the start of training camp is a much higher priority, but if he's able to get some work in with the full team during minicamp, the Bills should let him play, even if it's just for a few snaps.
"We'll see how things go," Johnson said. "As of now, they're saying I'll be out there to get some reps."
