Monday, December 15, 2014

Jerry Hughes finds his way back on field in big way

BY NICK ST. DENIS

A week ago, Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes got extensive work as a benchwarmer following a second-quarter unsportsmanlike conduct flag against the Denver Broncos.

In that game, defensive line coach Pepper Johnson decided to cut heavily into Hughes' playing time after the penalty.

This past Sunday, however, Hughes was thrust back into action.

The team's star pass-rusher saw his most action of the season in a huge win over the Green Bay Packers, playing in 96 percent of the Bills' defensive snaps, according to ESPN.com's Mike Rodak.

Hughes was in on 68 of 71 plays, a huge jump from the prior week, when he played 12 of the defense's last 36 plays (following the flag).

And with that, Bills fans will again get more review time of their team's biggest offseason priority.