Safety Bryan Scott has been spending most of his time in practice at outside linebacker the

past two weeks. It looks like he'll get a chance to play the position in a game.

With Keith Ellison questionable with a quadriceps injury, Scott is expected to start at

linebacker for the Buffalo Bills against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The Bills could have gone with one of their two rookie backups — Ashlee Palmer or Nic

Harris — or Jon Corto, but they decided Scott was the better option.

"We're kind of banged up, so wherever I can help out I'm willing to do that," Scott said.

"Shoot, to be honest, I'm just excited to suit back up and get back out there with my

teammates. It's been a long while, so I'm excited."

This will be Scott's first game action since Sept. 27 when he suffered a high ankle sprain

in a Week Three loss to New Orleans. He was able to practice fully during the bye week and is

eager to put the pads on again Sunday.

"The recovery process was long. Too long, actually," Scott said. "But I'm healthy and ready

to go."

The 6-foot-1, 219-pound Scott lacks prototypical linebacker size, but he has the toughness

and strength to play the position. The transition hasn't been too difficult because he is used

to playing close to the line of scrimmage as a strong safety.

"Physically, I definitely know I can handle it," he said. "The challenge is we're seeing

things from a different vantage point. You are trying to get comfortable with the reads

because everything happens so quickly. Being back at safety, everything is so instinctive. You

didn't have to think about it. It was second nature.

"Now I'm trying to make all the right reads and fits and the correct drops. But I know I'll

be OK. It's just a matter of watching extra film and focusing my binoculars to get a different

view. We'll be fine."

Scott will give the Bills some flexibility on passing downs. Although he'll play

linebacker, it will be like having six defensive backs on the field instead of the standard

five in the nickel packages.

"It does give us better coverage," said Bills coach Dick Jauron. "Bryan has really done a

nice job in the last year and going into this year covering the really talented tight ends. So

he does give us a little more in that regard."

. . . Wide receiver Terrell Owens missed a second straight day of

practice because of a strained hip, which flared up late Tuesday afternoon.

Jauron said Owens wasn't feeling much better Thursday.

"He's still struggling," Jauron said. "He didn't come out to watch practice. Bud

[Carpenter, the Bills' head trainer] is working hard with him. They've got him doing different

things. I believe that it's better, but it's not good enough to be on the field. It came on

fast and unexpectedly, and we were hoping that it would clear up the same way. We'll just have

to see where it goes [today]."

Owens is one of several starters whose status for Sunday is up in the air. Ellison,

cornerback Terrence McGee (knee), defensive end Aaron Schobel (groin) and defensive tackle

Kyle Williams (knee) have not practiced this week.

Safeties Donte Whitner (ankle) and Jairus Byrd (groin), fullback Corey McIntyre (knee) and

tackle Jamon Meredith (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

. . . The Titans will be without one of their best receivers as

Justin Gage will miss the game after suffering multiple fractures of transverse process bones

in his back during last week's game at San Francisco.

The injury occurred when Gage fell hard to the ground after making a leaping 33-yard catch

to set up the go-ahead touchdown in the Titans' 34-27 victory over the 49ers.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Gage won't need surgery, but is expected to be out at least a

couple of weeks. Gage is the Titans' second-leading receiver with 22 catches for a team-high

302 yards. Rookie first-round draft pick Kenny Britt is expected to replace Gage in the

starting lineup.

Starting cornerback Nick Harper practiced fully for the second straight day Thursday,

improving his chances of returning to the lineup after missing the last three games with a

broken forearm. Fellow starting cornerback Cortland Finnegan (hamstring) practiced on a

limited basis. Backup running back LenDale White missed a second straight day with an illness.

Third-string running back Javon Ringer (back) practiced fully for the first time this week.

Defensive end Javon Kearse (knee) and tackle Mike Otto (knee) were limited a day after being

full practice participants.