Buffalo Bills David Nelson ready for OTAs?

Buffalo Bills slot receiver David Nelson tore his ACL during the first week of the regular season after catching two passes for 31 yards against the rival New York Jets. Nelson missed the entire 2012 season as a result of that injury, and it was a huge blow for the Bills offense.

The good news is that the 26-year-old former Florida Gators standout could be ready for OTAs, and he told Tim Graham of the Buffalo News that he hopes he can be a full go for OTAs. The rehab process has went well for Nelson, and he will not be missing any training camp time. At least, it’s extremely doubtful that he will.

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Nelson and the Bills are already talking about a new deal as Nelson is set to be an RFA, and it would be wise for the Bills to get something done with the talented, young slot receiver. He caught 61 passes for the team in 2011 for a total of 658 yards and five touchdowns. If the injury didn’t significantly hurt him (Nelson is young so I doubt it did), then he could blossom into one of the game’s best slot receivers. At the very least, he is a solid option in the passing attack for the Bills and the next quarterback who will lead this franchise.

The receiver told the Buffalo News that the only thing he is having trouble with at this moment is decelerating. Nelson said, “There’s uncertainty in coming back off a knee surgery, especially at the position that I play. You don’t want to invest in somebody who’s not going to be the same player they were. I understand that. That’s why it’s my job to make sure my knee’s 100 percent, so when I show up to training camp I’m giving them what they need.”

Nelson is valuable, young, and cheap, and it would be a little bit foolish for the Bills to not keep him. He’s just an RFA, and the rehab process is ahead of schedule (per Nelson). That’s always a good sign, and it’s yet another reason why we’ll be seeing Nelson playing for the Bills in 2013 and, likely, back to his old self as a solid possession receiver.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.