Bills notebook: Injuries lead to new set of safeties
Published: September 30, 2009, 11:01 pm
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The Buffalo Bills are shuffling their safety lineup this week in the wake of injuries.
Both Donte Whitner and Bryan Scott are out for Sunday's game against Miami. Whitner had surgery to repair a broken thumb. Scott sat out Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury.
Bills coach Dick Jauron acknowledged Scott's injury is "more like a high ankle" sprain, which is more serious than a regular sprain and can last numerous weeks.
The starting safety alignment for Sunday will be rookie Jairus Byrd at free safety and George Wilson at strong safety.
The Bills also shifted rookie linebacker Nic Harris to safety for Wednesday's practice, giving the team a bigger presence at the position. Harris, who played safety at the University of Oklahoma, is a 232-pounder.
"Today's the first time I practiced as a safety since the national championship game," Harris said of Oklahoma's meeting with Florida in January. "I feel at home. It's kind of like a jump shot. You never lose it."
Meanwhile, starting left tackle Demetrius Bell did not practice due to a strained groin. Jonathan Scott practiced in his spot on the left side. Scott, who started at right tackle vs. New Orleans Sunday, played most of his college career at Texas on the left side.
"It's not much of an adjustment," Scott said. "I think the biggest adjustment is [guard] Andy [Levitre] adjusting to me. Our level of communication may be different, just getting a feel for each other. That's what practice is for. But communication is not going to be an issue. We talk a tremendous amount."
If Bell does not recover by the weekend, Kirk Chambers would be the other starting tackle, most likely on the right side.
Veteran Drayton Florence, who played well in relief of Leodis McKelvin Sunday, will start opposite Terrence McGee, due to McKelvin's broken fibula. Also sitting out practice were defensive tackles Kyle Williams (groin) and John McCargo (calf). The Bills might get a reinforcement at tight end. Rookie Shawn Nelson (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis.
The Dolphins list one player on their injury report … linebacker Joey Porter. He has a sore hamstring that limited him to about half the snaps in Sunday's game at San Diego. Porter had four sacks in two games against the Bills last season.
All indications are the plan going into Sunday's game in Miami is to "ease" Marshawn Lynch into action. Lynch has not played or practiced the past three weeks due to his NFL suspension. Expect Lynch to get roughly an equal number of opportunities as backfield mate Fred Jackson.
"We're probably bringing Marshawn along slowly," offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said. "Let him get back into it physically. But yeah, those guys are two of our better players offensively. Some of the groupings with both of them are very good for us. I don't know how long it will be before we get there. But I'm just glad to have Marshawn back. I think it will help us down the road, keeping both of those guys fresh."
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Former Bills receiver Andre Reed will receive the 24th annual Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Distinguished Service Award for the 2009 season. Reed will be honored during pregame ceremonies at the Bills-Cleveland game Oct. 11 and at the Monday Quarterback Club luncheon at HSBC Arena on Oct. 12.
The Wilson Distinguished Service Award was established by the Monday Quarterback Club in 1986 to honor former players for long and meritorious service to the Bills. Reed becomes the 30th former Bills player to be selected for the award.
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Whitner wants his disorderly conduct case in Cleveland dismissed through a probation program for first-time offenders. Whitner's attorney asked Municipal Court Judge Angela Stokes on Tuesday to approve his participation in the program that would allow the player to clear his record once he finishes probation. Court spokesman Ed Ferenc says Stokes scheduled an Oct. 27 hearing.
The prosecutor's office didn't object to Whitner's request. Whitner's attorney, Larry Zukerman, said the probation department would recommend whether Whitner is eligible for the program, and the judge would make a final decision. Whitner was arrested in April on allegations of trying to force his way past police officers dealing with a crowd outside a nightclub. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
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