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McGahee won't be ready for start of Bills' training camp
Running back Willis McGahee, recovering from knee surgery, won't be ready to practice when the Buffalo Bills open training camp in six weeks.
That doesn't discourage the former University of Miami star, who was the Bills' surprise first-round pick in last April's draft.
``I'm not going to even worry about it. I don't even try to think about it,'' McGahee said Friday as the Bills wrapped up their final spring minicamp session. ``But other than that, I've just got to sit around and wait, learn plays and just do the certain things that I can.''
That McGahee won't be ready when rookies and selected veterans are scheduled to report on July 23 shouldn't be a surprise. When they drafted him, team officials said McGahee will likely open the season on the physically unable to perform list. Such a move would allow McGahee to continue to recuperate, while leaving open the possibility of activating him between Weeks 10-14.
It's also possible McGahee could miss the entire season after he tore three ligaments in his left knee during Miami's loss to Ohio State in last January's Fiesta Bowl.
McGahee, who said his knee felt stronger when he last jogged on it, is trying to stay patient.
``Everything will fall into place for me,'' he said. ``I'm not trying to rush anything. As long as the team accepts me for how I am, that's all I have to worry about.''
The Bills haven't taken any chances.
Except for catching passes in a stationary position, McGahee has been a fixture on the sideline during each of 15 Buffalo practices since the start of May.
It helps that Buffalo has returning starter Travis Henry, the NFL's fifth-leading rusher last season.
Coach Gregg Williams said the team will monitor McGahee's progress while he continues rehabilitation at his home in Miami.
``There'll be daily, weekly phone calls, and then we'll make trips down to monitor him,'' Williams said.
Once projected as a top three pick, McGahee fell all the way to No. 23. Prior to being hurt, McGahee set school records with 1,753 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns last season.
Before arriving at camp, McGahee must sign a contract.
``I'm not worried about my contract,'' he said.
This past week, McGahee's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was confident a deal could be reached, taking into account both his client's injury and the heady numbers he put up at Miami last year.
That doesn't discourage the former University of Miami star, who was the Bills' surprise first-round pick in last April's draft.
``I'm not going to even worry about it. I don't even try to think about it,'' McGahee said Friday as the Bills wrapped up their final spring minicamp session. ``But other than that, I've just got to sit around and wait, learn plays and just do the certain things that I can.''
That McGahee won't be ready when rookies and selected veterans are scheduled to report on July 23 shouldn't be a surprise. When they drafted him, team officials said McGahee will likely open the season on the physically unable to perform list. Such a move would allow McGahee to continue to recuperate, while leaving open the possibility of activating him between Weeks 10-14.
It's also possible McGahee could miss the entire season after he tore three ligaments in his left knee during Miami's loss to Ohio State in last January's Fiesta Bowl.
McGahee, who said his knee felt stronger when he last jogged on it, is trying to stay patient.
``Everything will fall into place for me,'' he said. ``I'm not trying to rush anything. As long as the team accepts me for how I am, that's all I have to worry about.''
The Bills haven't taken any chances.
Except for catching passes in a stationary position, McGahee has been a fixture on the sideline during each of 15 Buffalo practices since the start of May.
It helps that Buffalo has returning starter Travis Henry, the NFL's fifth-leading rusher last season.
Coach Gregg Williams said the team will monitor McGahee's progress while he continues rehabilitation at his home in Miami.
``There'll be daily, weekly phone calls, and then we'll make trips down to monitor him,'' Williams said.
Once projected as a top three pick, McGahee fell all the way to No. 23. Prior to being hurt, McGahee set school records with 1,753 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns last season.
Before arriving at camp, McGahee must sign a contract.
``I'm not worried about my contract,'' he said.
This past week, McGahee's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was confident a deal could be reached, taking into account both his client's injury and the heady numbers he put up at Miami last year.