Bills first-round pick Shaq Lawson has not been on the field since aggravating a shoulder injury in May and having surgery that led him to the physically unable to perform list.
Lawson is required to spend at least the first six weeks of the regular season on the list before he’s eligible to return to practice or play in any games. On Monday, coach Rex Ryan said that the expectation is that Lawson will be off the list as soon as possible and that the team won’t waste any time plugging him into the lineup.
“I think he is going to be ready to roll,” Ryan said, via the Buffalo News. “When his time is up, he is doing a really good job in the weight room and things. Now he is not going to be in football shape, so don’t expect him to come in and being starting. He hasn’t even been through one practice, one NFL practice, but we will definitely work him in when he gets back. I would anticipate him getting back as soon as he is eligible.”
Ryan was asked if that meant Lawson would also play in Week Seven despite his lack of practice time and answered in the affirmative.
It’s hard to guess what Lawson might be able to bring to the team after so little time working with the defense, but certainly the hope is that he’ll boost the pass rush in Buffalo. The Bills will get more immediate defensive help this week with the return of defensive tackle Marcell Dareus from his suspension.
