ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan expressed optimism Thursday that wide receiver Sammy Watkins will be able to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after being designated to return Wednesday from injured reserve.Im not sure, but I think theres a possibility of that. I do, Ryan said following Thursdays practice. As long as theres not another setback or anything like that, I feel pretty good about him playing.Watkins was listed as limited on Thursdays injury report after having the same status Wednesday, when he practiced for the first time since being placed on injured reserve on Sept. 30. Lingering soreness stemming from offseason foot surgery sidelined Watkins for eight games.When asked why he felt encouraged about Watkins availability Sunday, Ryan said, He can run a little bit. He looks pretty good to me.However, Ryan said he expects Watkins to have a limited role against the Jaguars if he does play. Watkins last played in a Sept. 15 loss to the New York Jets.The Bills have until Dec. 14 to add Watkins to their active roster or he will revert to injured reserve for the remainder of the season.Watkins return would be a welcome boost for the Bills offense, which is expected to be without wide receiver Robert Woods for Sundays game. Woods has not practiced this week after spraining his knee in last Sundays victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.Wide receiver Percy Harvin also missed Thursdays practice with an illness, while running back Mike Gillislee did not practice Thursday after leaving Wednesdays practice with a hamstring injury. Ryan called Gillislees injury a real concern for his availability Sunday.Ryan said running back LeSean McCoy looked fine in practice Thursday after undergoing thumb surgery Sunday night. McCoy is expected to play against the Jaguars. . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers are still in San Diego, at least for this season.Beyond that is anyones guess as the team opens training camp in preparation for what could be the most pivotal season in its history.After getting rebuffed by fellow NFL owners on moving to an industrial suburb of Los Angeles along with the Rams, chairman Dean Spanos committed to San Diego at least for 2016. Spanos is trying to get voters to approve a new downtown stadium and convention center annex not far from Petco Park, home to baseballs Padres.I was always pretty skeptical about moving, just because Ive been here for so long, said star tight end Antonio Gates, who signed a two-year contract extension to assure hell retire as a Charger. The fans have been phenomenal over the 13 years Ive been here. Its one of those things where, to me, this is home. This is where the Chargers belong. I understand the business side of it. I understand that decisions had to be made. But Im a Charger. Im a San Diego Charger.Last season was bruising on the field, where the Chargers went 4-12, and off it, where ownership waged a scorched-earth battle with City Hall as it tried to leave.The dramas far from over, though.The Chargers have placed a citizens initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot seeking to raise the hotel tax to heavily subsidize a downtown convadium to replace aging Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley. Polls show the Chargers are way behind in convincing the voters, not to mention the powerful tourism industry that doesnt like the Chargers plans for a non-contiguous expansion of the waterfront convention center. If things dont work out in San Diego, the Chargers have the right to join the Rams, who won the race to L.A., in a stadium in Inglewood set to open in 2019.Here are some things to look for as the Chargers open training camp on July 30:BOSA: Ohio State star defensive end Joey Bosa, the third overall pick in the draft, skipped mandatory minicamp in June in a contract dispute and its unclear how long he might sit out. One of his agents, Tom Condon, famously told the Chargers before the 2004 draft not to take Eli Manning. They did anyway, and then swapped him for Philip Rivers. Condon also had high-profile spats with the Chargers in the past involving clients LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees. When he sshows up, Bosa will add some punch to a defense that came on during the second half of last season.ddddddddddddWOE LINE: The Chargers have to improve on the offensive line. Too many injuries and too much subpar play did then in last year, whether it was trying to open holes for rookie Melvin Gordon or protecting Rivers. The Chargers upgraded at center by signing free agent center Matt Slauson, and signed right tackle Joe Barksdale to a long-term deal. Whether its conditioning or technique, the Chargers need to figure out why so many of their linemen get hurt.MELVIN GORDON: The running back anticipates being close to 100 percent by the start of camp after having microfracture surgery on his left knee in January. His rookie season was nothing short of miserable, as he failed to score a touchdown or manage a 100-yard game before injuring his knee late in the season. He also fumbled six times, losing four, and was benched twice. The Chargers drafted his college teammate, fullback Derek Watt, the younger brother of Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt.AGELESS GATES: The 36-year-old signed a $12 million, two-year deal to avoid free agency. The 2016 season will be Gates 14th with the Chargers. He signed as a rookie free agent in 2003 after starring in basketball at Kent State. Gates was suspended for the first four games of 2015 after testing positive for a banned substance. Upon returning, he had 56 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns. Gates is the franchise leader with 844 catches, 10,644 yards receiving and 104 touchdown catches. Rivers and Gates have connected for 77 touchdown passes, making them the most prolific quarterback-tight end combo in league history.OTHER GUYS: Two other draft picks expected to help right away are inside linebacker Joshua Perry from Ohio State and sure-handed tight end Hunter Henry from Arkansas. General manager Tom Telesco had a decent haul in free agency, adding defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, free safety Dwight Lowery, cornerback Casey Hayward and wide receiver Travis Benjamin.---Follow Bernie Wilson on Twitter at
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