Bills receiver James Hardy was eager to finally start practicing with his teammates Wednesday for the first time in 10 months. Now hes got three weeks to show his surgically repaired left knee is strong enough for him to resume playing.

Thats the timetable the second-year player faces after spending the first six weeks of the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Under NFL rules, Hardy was eligible to begin practicing this week, and the Bills have 21 days to determine whether to activate Hardy or place him on the injured reserve list, ending his season.

I feel that Im ready to go, Hardy said, noting that hes still needs some conditioning. Yeah there was a lot of huffing and puffing just because Ive not been able to go out there. But itll come soon.

Hes has been out since tearing a knee ligament in a 31-27 loss to the New York Jets in December. It was a dreadful end to a tough season in which the second-round draft pick out of Indiana finished with nine catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.

Hardy said he still feels a little soreness in his knee, but its something doctors have told him to expect. He showed no lingering effects of the injury during individual drills, when he burst off the line at full speed and made a sharp cut over the middle to catch a pass.

Mentally, Im ready. I can handle the soreness, he said. I dont have any fears. I just say my prayers before I go out there and let it all hang out. Thats my mind-frame.

Coach Dick Jauron was encouraged by what he saw from Hardy, but said its too early to determine his playing status.

Its not going to be this week. Hopefully, that doesnt disappoint him, but I think that would be a little careless, Jauron said. The young mans worked awfully hard to come back, so were excited to have him. And now the clock is running. Weve got those 21 days to see where that goes.

The Bills (2-4) have plenty of injuries to deal with as they prepare to play at Carolina (2-3) on Sunday.

Starting defensive tackle Kyle Williams (shoulder) and starting defensive backs Terrence McGee (knee) and Donte Whitner (ankle) didnt practice. Rookie tight end Shawn Nelson (illness) also was held out. Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is also set to take over in place of starter Trent Edwards, who was unable to practice or attend team meetings after sustaining a concussion in a 16-13 overtime win over the New York Jets last weekend.

Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by admin
Filed under: NFL football news