Ed

Wang

A fifth-round pick in 2010, Wang was out of the league last season after failing miserably in two training camps and six spot appearances during his rookie year. The Raiders figure to try Wang at guard after the Bills misdiagnosed him as a tackle. He’ll be an extreme long shot to crack the final 53.

Wang was just a camp body and didn’t have a real shot at making the 53-man roster had he even been healthy. RB Rashawn Jackson (hip) and DT Jamie Cumbie (undisclosed) were also released with injury settlements.

Wang, 26 in March, has been an annual offseason project with numerous teams, bouncing around the NFL. He’ll compete for a roster spot at guard and tackle.

Wang is a developmental project that won’t solve the Bills’ massive hole at offensive tackle this season. He’s starting off as a backup behind LT Demetrius Bell, who is coming off ACL surgery. Wang is also the first Chinese-American player to be drafted by an NFL team.

The Bills finally grab an offensive lineman! A former tight end, Wang showed steady development as a left tackle in 2009 after focusing on the right side earlier in his college career. Wang has the size, athleticism, and footwork to stay at tackle, but he’ll need time to develop.

“He’s got size. He’s got intelligence and he’s got left tackle ability,” said GM Buddy Nix. “He can pass protect.” Bills quarterbacks will be in trouble no matter if Wang or Demetrius Bell wins the left tackle job. Bell is coming off a torn ACL. Wang lacks ideal length (6'4", 33 3/4" arms). It’s early, but Buffalo looks like the favorite for the 2011 No. 1 overall pick.

The injury was thought to be major when Wang was carted off the field in OTAs, but the Bills lucked out. The first Chinese-American player in NFL history opened camp as the second-team left tackle with Demetrius Bell (ACL surgery) being held out.

Said Gailey, “It’ll be a little while before he gets back 100 percent, but right now we’re sitting at 80 (percent) and that’s better than 60 (percent) and that’s where he was.” Wang has been practicing with the team since the start of the season, so don’t look for conditioning to hold him back. He looks set to serve as a backup tackle when he returns.

The Bills can breathe a sigh of relief. There were rumors that Wang had suffered a devastating kind of injury that would end his season, but a high ankle sprain should be healed by the time camp rolls around. The fifth-round rookie is expected to serve as a backup tackle this season.

Gailey won’t talk to the media until Wednesday, but these things have a way of leaking out quicker. Wang and the Bills are holding their breath that it’s only a bad ankle sprain.