The Bills will be lucky to have pass rusher Mario Williams on the field this Sunday against the Patriots. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the former Pro Bowler was held out of training camp practice this summer due to plantar fasciitis. However, the North Carolina State alum was not listed on the Week 1 injury report.
Williams signed a six-year deal with the Bills last offseason and started all 16 games last year for Buffalo. Last season, he collected 46 tackles, 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles following a torn pectoral injury in 2011. He spent his first six seasons in Houston and was selected with the first-overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Texans. Williams missed 14 games in his last two seasons with Houston.
While Williams will play in Week 1, teammates Dustin Hopkins, Stephon Gilmore and Doug Legursky will miss the home-opener. Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd is listed as doubtful.
The Bills will host the Patriots on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
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