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Bills expect Sammy Watkins (foot) to be ready for Week 1

Bills general manager Doug Whaley does not expect Sammy Watkins to miss any regular-season games, despite undergoing foot surgery this off-season.
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Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley does not expect receiver Sammy Watkins to miss any regular-season games, despite undergoing foot surgery this off-season, he said in an interview on WGR-AM on Tuesday.

Watkins underwent surgery to repair his broken foot in April, and said after the procedure that he hoped to join the team for training camp. Whaley said on Tuesday that the team still has not set a timetable for his return, but that they anticipate he will be ready to play by Week 1.

Despite dealing with hip, calf and knee injuries last year, Watkins finished the season with 60 receptions for 1,047 yards in 13 games.

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Linebacker Shaq Lawson will likely miss the start of the season as he progresses through his recovery from a shoulder injury, but Whaley said he has not yet explored signing free agents to replace the injured players during their absence from the field.

The Bills open the regular season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 11.