Linebacker Kiko Alonso will be watching a lot of Bills football this season instead of being a primary player on its defensive unit. A torn ACL suffered July 1st on a simple change of direction drill back in Oregon has him currently on a rehabilitation regimen following successful surgery in July. Alonso talked about his untimely injury for the first time Tuesday after announcing his partnership with Campbell's® Chunky™ soup for the "Tackling Hunger with the Buffalo Bills" program.

"It feels good. It's coming along," said Alonso. "I feel really good. Obviously it's going to take some time, but for now it feels really good."

Alonso, who tore his other ACL in college takes some solace in knowing what the rehab process is like and what still lies in front of him with his recovery. He's also come to accept the injury as a part of the game even though it happened in a non-contact situation.

"It's definitely a huge disappointment," said Alonso. "Obviously I want to be out there with the guys, but that's just how football is. You've got to deal with it and come back stronger from it."

Alonso didn't know how serious his injury was at first, but said his knee felt "goofy" and got it checked out. He intends to conduct the remainder of his rehab in Buffalo at One Bills Drive.

"I want to be around the team," he said. "It wouldn't feel right not to be here."

The team's leading tackler from a season ago feels he's right on schedule with his rehabilitation. He's currently on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. It leaves open the remote possibility of Alonso returning to the practice field for a three week stint to determine if he's fit to return to the roster or be put on the shelf for the rest of the season. That window opens at the conclusion of Week 6.

It seems highly unlikely, but at this point Alonso isn't closing the door on the 2014 season.

"I don't think I've ruled it out," he said. "I'm just focused on getting back 100 percent."