New York Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard is a big Terrell Owens booster.

Sheppard, who played with Owens for a season and a half in Philadelphia, says the Bills need to do a better job of getting the ball to Owens.

"I still respect him as a player and know he can make plays, but he's just in a tough situation right now," Sheppard told reporters Wednesday.

"It's pressure on the quarterback, not allowing him to throw to his first reads," Sheppard said of the reason for Owens' limited number of catches.

"They're just not focusing their offense with him; that's where they're messing up," Sheppard said. "They've got to do a good job of designing plays for him. You've got to be creative and let him do what he does best — and that's run after the catch. If you can't be creative and learn how to get him the ball in open space, he's not going to be effective for them."

Sheppard and Owens have the same agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Sheppard is a two-time Pro Bowler whom the Jets acquired in a trade in February.

Sheppard has missed the past three games with a strained thigh but is expected back this week. He had no problem with Owens with the Eagles.

"The guy was a great teammate," he said.

Asked if he would be frustrated in Owens' shoes, Sheppard said: "I would. It's out of his control as far as the stats, but he's still more than able to play this game. Whether it works out in Buffalo for him or not, hey somebody can use a guy like T.O."

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The fact the Bills have been so bad this season has caused some national media commentators to speculate the Bills might try to trade Owens. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday.

Asked if he was worried about trade speculation, Owens said:

"No, not at all. Whether it happens or not, I don't know. I'm committed right here until it does happen. I'm not saying that it will, but other than that I'm committed."

Asked if he had any interest in being traded, Owens said: "I'm committed. I'm committed right here."

Coach Dick Jauron said the Bills have not considered the idea.

"It's not anything we've discussed, no," said Jauron.

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As expected, the Bills got both middle linebacker Paul Posluszny and safety Donte Whitner back to practice Wednesday. Both were reported as limited participation. Posluszny has been out the past four games with a broken arm. Whitner has missed the past two with a broken thumb.

"It's really good to have them back," said Jauron. "We'll have to see where it leads as the week goes on. We put them through some extensive drills, both of them, yesterday on a day off and today, obviously in the practice. Tomorrow it'll get a little more extensive with the pads, a little more contact."

"I'm very hopeful," Whitner said. "I wish I could have played last week. Actually, I wish I could have played the week before that. ... It's a thumb I don't really need it for the rest of my life, so just tape it up and let's go."

The season-ending injuries to Kawika Mitchell and Marcus Buggs prompted the Bills to sign 11-year veteran Chris Draft at linebacker. Rookie Nic Harris also has moved back to practicing at linebacker after shifting to safety.

Due to the fact Harris is back at his true position and the Bills are not certain about Whitner, the team signed safety Todd Johnson, a seventh-year veteran.

"Todd is familiar with what [coordinator Perry Fewell] does, so it seemed like a good fit for us as a good veteran player and an insurance," Jauron said.

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Jets guard Damien Woody has a sore foot but probably will play Sunday. Receiver Jerricho Cotchery is questionable with a sore hamstring. Receiver Brad Smith (foot) didn't practice.