IRVING, Texas -- David Buehler believes he will be able to return Sunday against St. Louis to handle the kickoff job after missing the last three games with a groin injury.

Buehler kicked some last week and picked up the pace over the last two days.

“I wanted to get out this past week but it didn’t feel ready and they wanted to get a full week of kicking before I actually get in the game,” Buehler said. “Last week was that week. I feel good. I hit balls [Monday] and I’m going to try to get my conditioning back kicking wise. There was a while where I didn’t kick. I just had treatment. It feels good striking balls again. I feel ready to go this week but obviously that’s the trainers’ call as well.”

If healthy, there might not be a spot. Dan Bailey has made 14 straight kickoffs and he has done a solid job on kickoffs as well, even if he did not have a touchback last week at New England.

“I’m definitely happy for him but when I get back healthy again I want to compete for my job,” Buehler said. “Again he’s doing very well on field goals. I doubt I’m going to take that job there, but kickoffs was my strong suit so hopefully I can come in and get back out there and help the team out there and in the return game as well.”