Sammy Watkins Injury: Updates on Bills Star's Glute and Return

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins' outlook for the start of the regular season is a positive one, as the second-year wideout is active for the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. He had been held out of the final two preseason games as he nursed a sore glute. 

“I think I’m ready to play,” Watkins said after participating in the Sept. 8 session, per Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com. “For the most part, it’s just about getting mentally and physically prepared for this game and enduring some physical battles. So I think I’m in shape. I’m ready to go.”

On Aug. 25, teammate LeSean McCoy had some fun with Watkins' status, saying the wideout has the "Allen Iverson injury" and adding the team was "keeping the Ferrari in the garage," per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.  

The fourth pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Watkins appeared in all 16 games during his rookie season.

Over the course of that campaign, the Clemson product hauled in 65 passes after being targeted 128 times. He finished the season with 982 yards and six touchdowns, which ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, among 2014 rookies.

However, following the conclusion of his impressive year, Watkins went under the knife in February to treat a partial labrum tear in his hip. 

With soft hands, breakaway speed and a knack for making defenders miss in the open field, the 22-year-old already has the look of a franchise centerpiece. 

Given the Bills' lack of depth at wideout behind Watkins and Percy Harvin, Buffalo will be happy to see its star wideout on the field for Week 1.