Buffalo Bills WR Sammy Watkins doubtful for start of training camp

Buffalo Bills receiver Sammy Watkins will likely miss the start of training camp but expects to be ready for the start of the regular season after undergoing offseason foot surgery.

Watkins underwent the surgery in April to repair a broken bone in his left foot.

Watkins told ESPN that the team might not let him participate when camp opens.

"You never know. Right now I feel good, but I got to go back and train and rehab," Watkins said during a charity bowling event in Charlotte, N.C. "Hopefully it feels good when I run and everything like that. I haven't ran in three or four weeks. Hopefully I'll feel good about it and I'll be on the field in training camp."

Earlier this month, Watkins told Canada-based TSN following an event in Toronto that he would "definitely be available" for training camp.

ESPN reported in May that Watkins would sit out the entire preseason and be ready at the start of the season.

"I ain't got nothing to say about that, really," Watkins said. "You never know. Be very skeptical about it. Hopefully I'll be back. If I'm not, then cool. Get ready for the first game."

Bills coach Rex Ryan told reporters in mid-June that the plan is to be smart about Watkins' injury.

"I am sure he is going to get some work [in training camp]," Ryan said. "It is just we don't have a definitive date."