The tight end hasn't been an impact player in the Buffalo Bills' passing game for several

years. Rookie Shawn Nelson was supposed to change that.

The former Southern Mississippi star was drafted in the fourth round last April because he

possessed exceptional receiving skills that would allow the Bills to stretch the middle of the

field.

But Nelson and his fellow tight ends are still looking for more balls to come in their

direction.

"We definitely want to be more involved in the passing game, and it's something the coaches

have talked about," Nelson said. "We're working on it every day. Alex [Van Pelt, the Bills'

offensive coordinator] has told me he wants to get me involved in the offense and showcase my

talent out there.

"They brought me here to go out and make plays. That's what I do and that's what I want to

do. I'm all for it. So during these next eight games, I'm looking forward to [giving] this

team what they're looking for."

The Bills' plan for an expanded role for the tight ends got off to a promising start as

they got 17 catches from the position through the first three games. However, the tight ends

have just six receptions since.

Injuries have had a lot to do with their declining production.

Derek Schouman, who was the opening-day starter, is out for the season with a knee injury.

Derek Fine missed the first two games with an ailing hamstring.

Nelson hasn't been immune to the injury bug either, suffering a sprained shoulder that kept

him out one game. A concussion and migraine headaches sidelined him for the past two games,

though he's expected to return on Sunday at Tennessee.

Another reason the Bills' tight ends aren't catching a lot of passes is they've been needed

as extra pass protectors because the offensive line hasn't shown it can handle the job alone.

The tight ends have done so little as receivers lately that Schouman still leads the group

with nine catches in only two games.

"We have been doing a lot of pass blocking, which is part of the job anyway but probably

more than the coaches had planned for us," said Nelson, who has six receptions for 60 yards

and one touchdown. "The injuries are unfortunate, but it's part of the NFL. You're going to

have nicks and bruises. You just have to bounce back from them.

"Obviously, we were very limited at tight end with the loss of Derek Schouman, but the rest

of us just have to step up and take new roles and responsibilities."

Nelson figures to take a lead role now that he's healthy. The Bills sure need him because

they have been perilously thin at tight the last two weeks with Fine and Jonathan Stupar the

only healthy bodies.

"The nature of our offense is we're a two-tight-end offense," Van Pelt said. "We mix in

three wides. So getting Shawn back will be big."

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Nelson is an imposing target. He also has exceptional speed and

overall athleticism.

His ability to stretch the seams of opposing defenses and create matchup advantages against

linebackers and safeties are things the Bills want — and need — to exploit more

often.

"We think he's got unique skills for the position and he's shown toughness," Bills coach

Dick Jauron said. "He likes to play. He'll battle you and block. He can run so he can stretch

a field both with his speed and then just with his size. He gives us things that we lack

without him, quite frankly, and that most teams lack at that position so we're hoping that

from this point on he can stay healthy and stay with us."