PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Aaron Williams wore full shoulder pads in five practices this week, but it wasn't until Saturday evening's scrimmage when the Buffalo Bills safety could clear the next hurdle in his recovery from a neck injury that ended his season last October.
Williams collided violently with running back James Wilder on a 9-yard run about halfway through the mock game, immediately popping up without experiencing any of the numbness that plagued the sixth-year safety as he tried to play through his injury early last season.
It was the best sign yet that Williams -- who once feared his career would be over -- is fine.