Lions South Jersey

Menelik Watson tried to finish practice on Aug. 7 and couldn��t. The rookie offensive lineman aggravated a nagging calf injury 30 minutes into his first training camp, and he was pissed. Watson left the field in anger, punched a bench and cooled his jets outside the trainer��s room, fearing additional time on the shelf. The unwelcome setback kept him out two more weeks but, on the last day of training camp, Watson got back to work. ��It��s been a process that took way longer than I thought, but it��s been good to get back out there and take some reps, �� Watson said after Wednesday��s practice. The second-round pick��s return was important for an offense that needs him now more than ever. ��I want to ease him into it even though he��s missed a lot of time and he��s far behind because he��s missed all of camp, �� coach Dennis Allen said. ��I want to try to make sure he��s healthy and get him ready to go. I won��t play him in the game Friday night, and I��ll get him ready to play a lot of snaps against Seattle.�� ��I��m not far behind, maybe a day or two, �� Watson said. ��I have to get used to hitting again, which something that typically happens during camp. I have a couple of hard days practice ahead of me, but my body will get used to the physicality again. ��I was as involved with the game plan as I would��ve been had I played. That was key for me, and I think it��s helped me be ready as possible for this return.��