NFL Notes: Bills, Packers, Raiders & Steelers

Bills

Bills first-round OLB Shaq Lawson returned to a practice Wednesday after he missed six weeks while on the team’s PUP list following shoulder surgery.

Lawson said that he feels great and is just happy to back out on the practice field.

“I’m just happy to get back on the field with my teammates,” Lawson said, via Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. “It’s been a long, long journey, but I’m just glad to be back there with my teammates and be back on the practice field. . . .

“I felt great out there. I felt better than I’ve ever been. I felt completely healthy, so it was just great to be out there.”

• Mike Rodak mentions that the Bills had Reggie Bush taking reps at wide receiver during the individual drills on Wednesday.
• Bills OC Anthony Lynn implied that they could sit RB LeSean McCoy until his hamstring injury is fully healed: “Last year we went week to week, and I don’t want to do that anymore. Want him fully healthy.” (Joe Buscaglia)
• Bills WR Robert Woods said he had an X-ray on his injured foot but it showed that he doesn’t have a break. (Nick Veronica)

Packers

• Following a report from Adam Schefter that Packers RB Eddie Lacy is back to being anywhere from 255 to 265 pounds, despite an offseason where he worked to drop weight, Joel Corry says that Green Bay should insist on the inclusion of weight clauses in any new deal for Lacy.
• According to Ed Werder, Packers RB James Starks, who underwent meniscus surgery this past Sunday, could be out longer than the 3-4 week timetable initially reported, considering the demands of playing running back.

Raiders

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf issued a statement Wednesday after Raiders owner Mark Davis reiterated his commitment to relocate the team to Las Vegas.

“I know that there is a lot of interest in what is going to happen with the Raiders, and whether Oakland can keep its team from being ripped away from Bay Area fans for a second time.

“If Oakland is going to be successful in offering the Raiders and the NFL a viable alternative to moving to Las Vegas, I have to stay clearheaded. I cannot afford for us to be thrown off our game because Nevada lawmakers have deemed it appropriate to put $750M in public money towards a private sports facility. While I’m committed to keeping the Raiders, I will not enter into a bidding war with Nevada using public funds.

“That’s why I remain focused on working out concrete deal terms that give the NFL’s owners an Oakland option to consider. I believe that in partnership with Alameda County and the team Ronnie Lott has assembled, we can offer a serious plan in the coming weeks that is fair to the Raiders, the league, the fans and the Oakland taxpayers to whom I am most responsible.”

Steelers

• Jason Cole of B/R reports that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger may have made his meniscus injury worse by trying to finish the game.
• Roethlisberger was reportedly told by team doctors that returning to the game wouldn’t make it worse. However, Cole spoke to two doctors who questioned that advice.