By Jay Skurski
Ron Brooks is eligible to return to practice today, although the Buffalo Bills' rookie cornerback will not be eligible to play until after the team returns from its bye week.
Brooks became the first Bills player -- and one of the first in the NFL -- to go on the injured reserve's designated-for-return list, a new league rule this season. He has sat out the required six weeks of practice.
"We think we'll get him back to practice Wednesday, so that'll be a positive," coach Chan Gailey said at the start of the week.
Before suffering a foot injury near the end of the preseason that required surgery, Brooks, a fourth-round draft pick in April, was serving a key coverage role on special teams. He'll also provide valuable depth at a position where injuries are not uncommon.
The first game Brooks can play in is in Week Nine at Houston.
