Schobel likely to miss four weeks
The Buffalo Bills got a bit of good news on the injury front Wednesday, but the team's defense still has big injury worries heading into Sunday's game against New England.
Defensive end Aaron Schobel will not need season-ending surgery on his injured left foot, a team source told The News. Schobel visited a specialist in North Carolina on Wednesday to assess the injury, which has kept him out of the lineup the past three games.
However, it's expected Schobel is likely to miss another four weeks while waiting for the injury to heal properly. Schobel's injury includes a damaged tendon in his big toe and a bone bruise in the foot.
If Schobel could return for the last month of the season it would be a boost to the Bills' pass rush. Schobel has 68 career sacks. The Bills had 10 sacks in winning their first four games but have had just three sacks the past four.
Seventh-year veteran Ryan Denney has replaced Schobel in the starting lineup.
The Bills' defense will be further depleted for this week's game in Foxborough, Mass.
Besides Schobel, it will be without safety Donte Whitner, who suffered a separated shoulder against the New York Jets on Sunday. Whitner will be replaced by veteran Bryan Scott.
Cornerback Ashton Youboty also is trying to recover from a foot injury, and that could affect the game.
Youboty is the Bills' nickel cornerback, covering the slot receiver. The Patriots have one of the best slot receivers in the NFL in Wes Welker. Youboty has not played in the past three games. He was limited in practice Wednesday.
Starting linebacker Kawika Mitchell sat out practice with a sore ankle. Coach Dick Jauron expressed hope that Mitchell would be able to practice today. He was replaced in first-team work by Jon Corto.
On offense the Bills again are expected to be without receiver Josh Reed, who did not practice due to a sore ankle and Achilles tendon. Jauron said the ankle is the more significant injury. Starting right guard Brad Butler, who missed the past two games with a sprained knee, returned to practice. He shared time with Jason Whittle, who has a sore quadriceps, Jauron said.
