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PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Manny Lawson said he expects to return in time for the start of the regular season from a partially torn pectoral muscle.
Lawson said he suffered the injury while bench pressing at the gym on July 25. Bills coach Rex Ryan previously said Lawson injured his pectoral, but did not reveal the exact nature of the injury.
"It's not torn, it's a partial tear," Lawson said. "It's not hanging. There's still meat on the bone."
The news is significant for a Bills team that is already without first-round pick Shaq Lawson, who was expected to start at right outside linebacker. Shaq Lawson underwent shoulder surgery after being drafted by the Bills and his return date is uncertain.
Manny Lawson is expected to start at right outside linebacker until the rookie returns. The 11-year veteran had a bounce-back season in his first year under Ryan. Last season, Lawson started 14 games and had 47 tackles, one sack and an interception.
Lawson said he does not know when he will return to the practice field, but he will be able to return to 100 percent because of the injury only being a partial tear. A full tear would have put his entire season in jeopardy.
"When I come back I should be ready to go," Lawson said.
Ryan had previously said the Bills didn't "anticipate him missing time in the regular season, but those things can be tricky."
Buffalo has little depth at the position behind Manny Lawson and Shaq Lawson. IK Enemkpali and undrafted rookie Eric Striker have worked with the starting unit to begin training camp.
In other Bills injury news, Ryan said defensive lineman Marcell Dareus may return later this week. Dareus was placed on the non-football illness list at the start of camp. Ryan also said that linebacker Jamari Lattimore is out with a broken nose; Lattimore was injured in an accident at a walkthrough.
"We were just walking through a drill and a player slipped, and when the player did he fell back and his knee actually UFC'd him right in the nose," Ryan said. "It was an accident."
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