Bills' Harvin scraps retirement, expects to play at Seattle

By foxsports
Published

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Last weekend, Percy Harvin was enjoying retirement, watching the Buffalo Bills play the New England Patriot on TV with his son from the comfort of his Florida home.

On Monday, Harvin expects to be wearing a No. 11 jersey and taking the field in Seattle, attempting to help the injury-depleted Bills end a two-game skid.

''Yeah, it sounds crazy,'' Harvin said at his locker following practice Saturday. ''But, hey, my bags are right here, so it looks like I'm going.''

Harvin's going and, according to coach Rex Ryan, he'll be playing despite taking part in just four practices since the Bills lured him out of a six-month retirement by signing him on Tuesday . The game will be Harvin's first in nearly 13 months after his season in Buffalo was cut short last year because of injuries to his right knee and hip.

In saying he expect Harvin to play, Ryan cautioned it will be in a limited role to take into account how much time the 28-year-old has missed.

''I didn't say we'd play him 50 snaps, but I think he can play some,'' Ryan said. ''I think he can help us.''

The Bills (4-4) need whatever help they can get at receiver. Top threat Sammy Watkins will miss at least another two weeks with a left foot injury. No. 2 receiver Robert Woods is playing despite aggravating an injury to his right foot. On the bright side, speedster Marquise Goodwin has been cleared to return since missing one game with a concussion.

There's more good news for the offense, with running back LeSean McCoy expected to return after missing last week's game with a left hamstring injury.

There are concerns on defense, with Ryan ruling out starting defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (groin) and his backup, Corbin Bryant (shoulder).

Dareus was hurt against New England in his latest setback. He missed the previous three games with a hamstring injury and opened the season serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Dareus will get an extra week to recover, with Buffalo entering its bye week off after playing the Seahawks (4-2-1) .

Backup receiver and returner Brandon Tate is also ruled out because of a concussion.

Harvin, when healthy, has been a dynamic threat during a seven-year career, which included a season and a half in Seattle. Overall, the NFL's 2009 offensive rookie the year has 4,020 yards receiving and scored 32 touchdowns, including five rushing and five returning kickoffs.

Injuries, however, have slowed his production. He had just 19 catches for 218 yards and a TD last year.

Though retired, Harvin spent the past six months working out and says his knee is fully healed since surgery in January.

''The body feels pretty good, the best I've felt in a long time,'' Harvin said. ''I think each week, I'm going to get better and better.''

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