His dream was to be on an NFL roster. A broken foot in August put that on hold, but halfway through his rookie season Ron Brooks is on Buffalo's 53-man roster. The Bills moved Brooks off their injured reserve list to the active roster Friday. The cornerback was designated as the team's player to return back on Sept. 4th.
"Luckily this organization had faith in me and designated me the one return guy," said Brooks. "I looked at it that they really have faith and confidence in me and I went in and worked in my rehab as hard as I could and get back as fast and healthy as possible. I've been out for nine weeks so I'm really hungry, really ready to get back out there with the team."
Wednesday was the earliest that rookie CB Ron Brooks could be added to the active roster after he was designated as the team's return player. The cornerback's broken foot required surgery, but his recovery and rehab went well with no setbacks.
Brooks has been practicing with the team since Oct. 17th. Having kept up to speed with the team's weekly game plans and schematic tweaks, the rookie feels he's prepared despite watching the first seven games of the season.
"While I was out I wasn't missing any time in the film room or anything like that. I was just missing time on the field," Brooks said. "Being in those meetings and hearing those adjustments and seeing those adjustments they were making, definitely helped me and didn't put me farther back than the injury had already done itself as far as being on the football field. So as far as learning the little ins and outs of the defense that we put in I'm pretty much up to par with everyone that's been playing throughout the season."
Head coach Chan Gailey said Brooks will be active Sunday and likely see time on special teams.
"I think he's more than ready," said head coach Chan Gailey. "I think he's chomping at the bit to get on the field. He'll be rusty and be out of place a couple of times, but I think his effort and ability will overcome a little bit of that rust and I think he'll add something to our team."
"I'm just going to continue to do what I did when I was in camp and rookie OTAs and come out here and try to get better at my position and do what I need to do," said Brooks. "It's just getting caught back up to speed and making sure I'm know everything that's going on."
Rinehart to I-RTo make room for Brooks on the roster the Bills placed OL Chad Rinehart on injured reserve. Rinehart started the last three games for the club at right guard in place of the injured Kraig Urbik.
He suffered a severe ankle injury in the Week 7 game against Tennessee and was carted off the field. Rinehart is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
