WR Stevie Johnson starts camp back to form

WR Steve Johnson was limited throughout the offseason after having groin surgery at the end of April. At Buffalo's first training camp practice Thursday, you would never have known.

The Bills' top receiver was in excellent form to kick off camp and wasted little time before reestablishing his chemistry with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. The duo connected on several passes, including some deep throws down the right sideline late in the session.

“Fitz just said he was going to test me and I was ready for it,” Johnson said. “I told him I'm good. He asked me (if I was) good like 3-4 times after that ... and I was ready.”

Johnson still has a ways to go to get back into shape but that's to be expected as he returns from the groin injury. He was stretched out on the sidelines by a trainer early at practice and stayed afterward for additional on-field work.

“I don't think the groin's an issue, probably conditioning's his biggest issue right now,” coach Chan Gailey said. “He's going to have to work, he (did some) extra work out there trying to upgrade his conditioning level, but I thought he looked quick.”

Johnson became the first Bills WR to have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons following his 2011 campaign, and the Bills have high hopes once again for him this year.

“I think we all expect him to have a better year this year than he had last year,” Gailey said. “We have the offense intact, he knows it. He and Fitz have a rapport with each other. I think that he'll have another strong season, I don't see any reason he wouldn't.”

It was only one day, but so far, so good.

“For a QB and his receiver to connect like that it's a great feeling,” Johnson said. “I can sleep good.”