Buffalo Bills: Steve Johnson Injured

Training camp can be such a tease sometimes. In the past it has been from players who performed well in the preseason, but couldn't translate that into success during the regular season.  In recent years it’s been a rash of injuries that has plagued the squad.

Since reading about Hardy's slow development last season I turned my attention to someone who looked more promising considering he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 draft.

Like the general Buffalo Bills fan, I enjoy a great underdog story as much as anyone.  That's why Fred Jackson is so appealing to fans along with players like Kyle Williams, George Wilson or even past players like Jason Peters and Jabari Greer.

I was very excited for training camp to start because I enjoy the stories that develop and the sleepers that could emerge.  While second year wideout Steve Johnson might not be considered a sleeper, I was looking forward to his further development throughout camp.

The preseason offers a great amount of playing time to young developing prospects like Johnson, who like Fred Jackson did two years ago, could make some preseason games worth watching.

I anticipated Johnson having a monster of a preseason, showing his worth and even magnifying the possibility of him starting opposite Lee Evans next season should Terrell Owens not resign with the team. I expected his preseason success to then translate on to the field during the regular season, unlike the first few season of Greer's career in Buffalo.  Johnson has already shown that he can play. However, he just needs some more exposure.

Johnson possesses many of the attributes that fellow receivers T.O. and James Hardy have.  Johnson has a large frame, which helps to box out opposing defenders, and he possesses the height advantage that Buffalo had been missing on their squad.  He has great hands and does a wonderful job getting separation off of defenders, much like teammate Josh Reed.

At the very least I saw him getting involved more often on some three and four wide receiver sets, which could possibly result in splitting some time with Josh Reed to help keep him healthy throughout the season.

In true Buffalo Bills tradition (of recent years) and only three days in, training camp has already begun its slew of injuries with Steve Johnson being the latest victim.

Head coach Dick Jauron said that Johnson had some rib cartilage damage and is out indefinitely.  

I'm hoping that the term "indefinitely" doesn't keep him out of too many preseason games. A broken rib generally takes about six to eight weeks to heal, while a costochondral separation (or tearing of the cartilage from the bones) usually take three to four weeks.

His rib x-rays were reported as negative, so hopefully Johnson won't be out for more than a few weeks.  I despise when young players miss valuable practice time, especially when the team is loaded with WR talent, meaning that the possibility looms of at least one of them not making the roster.

With any luck Steve Johnson will make a speedy recovery and put my aggravations and worries to rest.