ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins expects to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, he said Wednesday, even if it means potentially aggravating an injured calf that has kept him out since Sept. 27.

"I definitely should be out there this Sunday, whether I'm hurt [or not]. It's a big game, they're 5-0," he said. "I'm pretty sure they'll probably switch the coverage to my side and leave other guys one-on-one."

Sammy Watkins says he'll play against the Bengals and push through the pain in his injured calf. AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Watkins was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice and expects to "ramp up his reps" the remainder of the week in anticipation of playing "40 or 50" plays in Sunday's game.

"I know I'm not going to be in the best shape, but I know how to push through the routes and in the run game," he said.

Asked about the risk of re-injury, Watkins responded: "Injuries happen every day. I can't really go out there hoping that it doesn't pop. If it does, there's more life to live. You've got the next year and hopefully the next year. I'm going to go out there trying to win a game. If it pops, it pops. If it don't, hopefully I'll be right for the next week."

Watkins believes the Bills' offense has suffered without him the past two weeks. In each case, Buffalo has struggled to move the ball through the air, especially in the first half.

"With me on the field, it's a different game plan, it's a different scheme," he said. "I feel like the offense has just been basic without me out there. Defenses have been having their way, which is attacking the box in the run game.

"Just me being out there -- whether I run a route or not, whether I catch the ball or not -- I think I'm going to open a lot of things up."