National Football League

Bills' Henderson takes next step in beating Crohn's disease

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:46 p.m. ET

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PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) Coach Rex Ryan was cautious in sharing his expectations of Seantrel Henderson on Monday, when the Buffalo Bills right tackle returned to practice for the first time in nine months.

''I think it's probably unfair to lay something out there on him, an expectation,'' Ryan said. ''Let's let him get through some of these things and then maybe we'll have a better idea.''

Henderson passed his physical earlier in the day and returned to practice in taking the next step in his recovery since having two operations on parts of both intestines to reduce the effects of Crohn's disease.

Diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease in December, Henderson had an operation to remove a section of diseased tissue. The second operation took place in April, when his intestines were re-attached.

Henderson lost a significant amount of weight through the process and was cleared by doctors to rejoin the Bills in early June. He opened training camp on the team's active/non-football injury list.

Ryan is impressed with the perseverance Henderson has shown.

''You see how much a guy wants it,'' Ryan said. ''Obviously, you've got major adversity in front of you. But there's only way to do it. And he's got to be the guy that does it. It's great to see.''

Henderson was a starter since his rookie season in 2014, when Buffalo drafted him in the seventh round out of Miami.

Jordan Mills has taken over the starting job since Henderson was sidelined last season.

Ryan said running back Mike Gillislee is still being evaluated for a concussion. The backup was hurt in Buffalo's 21-0 preseason win over the New York Giants on Saturday.

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