Stevie Johnson (back) has been cleared to resume practicing, and participated in Tuesday's OTAs session.

Johnson said last week he had "no idea" when he'd be cleared to return, but it took less than seven days. "It was great to see him," OC Nathaniel Hackett said. "It was great to see him run some routes instead of being on the side. We've just got to work him back in." The Bills will take things slow with their No. 1 receiver before camp, but his back is not a long-term concern.

Stevie Johnson isn't participating in Bills OTAs after suffering a lower-back strain in last month's voluntary workouts.

It's notable that Johnson's injury has lingered for over a month, but coach Doug Marrone isn't worried. "It's more important to get him healthy and get him well than it is to push him to get on the field." Johnson seemingly misses as much practice time as any receiver in the league, but hasn't missed a game since 2009. Even if he's still ailing at next month's minicamp, he should be fine for training camp.

Stevie Johnson will still be allowed the freedom to run his routes in a "stop-and-start" manner under new head coach Doug Marrone.

Ex-head coach Chan Gailey tolerated the style as long as Johnson got to his designated spot on the field in the proper time on a given pass play, and Marrone and OC Nathaniel Hackett will allow him to do the same. "We have a system in place that we're going to implement and we're all going to learn at the same time, and he's going to be able to have the freedom to play his game within the system," said WRs coach Ike Hilliard. Johnson is expected to see more time in the slot in 2013, as well.