Buffalo Bills plagued with injury bug before Cardinals matchup

The Arizona Cardinals perhaps have caught the perfect time to prey on the injury-plagued Buffalo Bills.

Third-year receiver Sammy Watkins highlights the Bills’ injury list, and due to foot soreness, did not participate during practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The status of his availability for Week 3 is still unknown. The fourth overall draft pick 2014 and Bills’ most dangerous receiver has six catches for 63 yards through the first two weeks of the season.

ESPN reporter Mike Rodak reported that head coach Rex Ryan is hopeful Watkins will play. If not, the Bills will have to rely on their running game with LeSean McCoy.

“I think there’s a little more concern because of the fact that it’s another day he didn’t practice,” Ryan said. “We’ll see how it goes, but I certainly hope he plays. You talk about ground and pound, we would be back to ground and pound.”

Rodak also reported that offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said the team is going to be cautious with Watkins’ injury. If Watkins doesn’t practice but plays on Sunday, Lynn is confident Watkins will still perform at a high level.

“I think the best way to get better and develop skills is to practice. And when he doesn’t practice, that is a concern,” Lynn said. But he’s an elite guy, so we feel like he can go out on Sundays with limited reps and get it done.”

Receiver Greg Salas and tight end Charles Clay are also struggling to get back to the field. Salas suffered a groin injury during practice on Thursday, while Charles Clay was listed as DNP due to knee issues on Wednesday.

Salas has four receptions for 89 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown last week — one of the team’s two receiving touchdowns. Clay’s production is similar with 67 yards on seven catches.

If the three offensive players are unable to play Sunday, the Bills would take a huge hit as they would only have Marquise Goodwin, Walter Powell, Robert Woods and Brandon Tate as receivers.