Wide receiver Stevie Johnson’s April groin surgery was deemed minor, but the Bills aren’t taking any unnecessary chances with their top receiver.
Head coach Chan Gailey said Tuesday that Johnson won’t be participating in any team drills before the start of training camp. Beyond that, Gailey sounded pessimistic about Johnson making any of the team’s offseason practices before camp. He didn’t rule Johnson out of the June minicamp, but he didn’t sound like there was much chance of Johnson being on the field in mid-June either.
Hearing Johnson talk about how he felt didn’t do much to create hope that he’ll be back in June.
“I don’t know exactly when I’m going to be back,” Johnson said. “It’s just whenever this little pain goes away. Right now I feel good, but I don’t want to step out there and go hard and then something snaps and I have to get back further on the schedule we were on. So I’m just doing whatever they’re telling me to and getting stronger so I can be ready.”
That pain that’s holding Johnson back isn’t in his groin, by the way. Johnson said his hamstring is bothering him, which is all the more reason to back off now.
After all, there’s not much reason for concern about Johnson missing minicamp. He already knows the offense and his health in September is far more significant than being on the field in June.