More than halfway through the second week of OTA practices, the Bills got some of their primary players back on the field.
Dareus and Clay back in the frayNeither have seen much of the field thus far in OTA practices this spring, but on Wednesday Marcell Dareus and Charles Clay were participating.
Dareus was a disruptive force during portions of team work both in regular 11-on-11 and during red zone work. The defensive tackle affected the timing on some offensive plays.
Meanwhile Charles Clay seamlessly worked back into the offense. Taylor looked for him during Wednesday's session and connected with him on a handful of pass plays. Despite missing the last four games of the 2015 season with a back injury, Clay feels like their on-field chemistry hasn't suffered.
"I feel like we picked up right where we left off," said Clay. "Throughout the whole process we definitely talk a lot. I definitely know what he's thinking and he knows what I'm thinking. It was good to get back out there and run around a bit, but we stay in communication all the time so there's a sense of familiarity there."
"With Charles Clay, we have a guy that can (block and receive)," said head coach Rex Ryan. "It's so rare these days, but he is a true wide. He can block, and that's the most underrated part of his game. He has the body and ability to run. He does extremely well at everything we ask our tight ends to do."
Manny Lawson was another veteran back in the fray at practice.
Henderson expected back ThursdayAnother player expected to rejoin the team is OT Seantrel Henderson. The third-year offensive lineman has not been on hand at the voluntary OTA practices to this point due to a medical condition. Ryan is hopeful that Henderson will be able to participate.
"I look forward to seeing him," said Ryan. "If he's in (Thursday), that's great. These are voluntary workouts and if he's in, that's good. I don't think it's appropriate and I'm not going to comment on any type of medical issue that deals with the young man. We'll see how things work out through training camp and everything else. Obviously we know Seantrel is an outstanding talent and I think the big thing is (for him) to get healthy and let's see what happens from there."
Jordan Mills has been seeing the bulk of the work at right tackle in OTA practices with Henderson absent. He started in place of Henderson over the final five games last season. Cyrus Kouandjio has been rotating in on the right side as well.
Strong performersAmong some of the better performers at practice Wednesday were TE Chris Gragg, particularly during red zone work. LeSean McCoy also looked very quick and elusive in the run game. In the secondary plays were made by cornerbacks Kevon Seymour, Corey White and undrafted rookie Julian Whigham. Preston Brown made his presence felt defensively during red zone work.
QB Jones absentBills rookie QB Cardale Jones was not in attendance at the voluntary OTA practice on Wednesday.
"Yeah, he's got a personal thing that we've known about," Ryan said. "He was about to come to practice and I was like, 'No, you'll regret that decision the rest of your life.' So you guys put two and two together."
Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel obviously got all the reps in practice as a result on Wednesday.
Check out photos from One Bills Drive, as the Bills are back in action for Week 2 of Organized Team Activities.
Bills wide receiver Dez Lewis makes a reception during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills tight end Charles Clay extends his arms to make a reception during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills safety Duke Williams leaps into the air for a one-handed reception, during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills safety Duke Williams talks to Buffalo's assistant defensive backs coach Ed Reed, during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills center Eric Wood kneeling during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills linebacker Jamari Lattimore runs with the football during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills tight end Jim Dray running during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills tackle Jordan Mills practicing during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills running back LeSean McCoy practicing during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander in action during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus running drills with defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich, during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills kicker Marshall Morgan praciticing, during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills linebacker Randell Johnson practicing during Week 2 of OTAs.
Head coach Rex Ryan and linebacker Jamari Lattimore talking during Week 2 of OTAs.
A group of Bills players including, running backs LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams and James Wilder, Jr, huddle together during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills long snapper Garrison Sanborn chats on the sideline with punter Colton Schmidt, during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills cornerback Sterling Moore jumps up for the football during Week 2 of OTAs.
Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor in action during Week 2 of OTAs, as defensive end Jerry Hughes pursues him.
Bills rookie cornerback Julian Whigham in action during Week 2 of OTAs.
