Donte Whitner is healthier than he has been in several weeks. But when the Buffalo Bills' defense trotted on the field last Sunday at Jacksonville, the veteran safety was not in the starting lineup.

Instead, George Wilson and Jairus Byrd opened the game as the Bills' safeties. It was the sixth time in the last seven games they were the starting combination.

Whitner played a lot last Sunday, often as a nickel cornerback because the Bills were short-handed at that position. He also saw time at free safety where Byrd has been limited with a sore groin.

Whitner's backup role made him feel like a sixth man on a basketball team.

"Yeah, I think that would be the best way to describe it," said Whitner, who had started 46 straight games he suited up for until the last two contests. "I didn't start, but I played most of the game. It was a different feel not starting. I didn't know why it happened and I haven't really talked to anyone about it.

"But I don't really worry about that. As long as I'm on the football field and being out there with my teammates and playing that's the only thing that matters."

Whitner isn't sure if he will start on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell declined to announce that decision.

What Fewell did say is having three quality safeties is "a good problem to have."

Byrd and Wilson have flourished since being inserted in the lineup. Byrd leads the NFL with eight interceptions, while Wilson is third on the team with 57 tackles (37 solo) and also has three interceptions and two sacks.

"We're getting better in that area," Fewell said of the safety position. "I like having that problem."

It's a problem that has become a plus for the Bills, who can now put three safeties on the field at the same time. The trio played a significant role in shutting down running back Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars' running game.

Whitner, Byrd and Wilson give Fewell a lot of flexibility because of their versatility against the run and pass.

"It does wonders for us because we can disguise our man and zone pressures whenever we're blitzing," Wilson said. "Our safeties are so interchangeable that we can matchup with just about any skill guy that's out there and not feel like we're in a mismatch. That gives our coordinator great confidence to be able to dial up those pressures or man coverages and try to confuse the opposing offenses."

"I'm excited about how they are using us," Byrd added. "We have guys who have shown the ability to make plays, so the coaches are looking for ways to get us on the field together. We had some success with it in Jacksonville, so we look forward to seeing how we can expand that."

Whitner said one benefit of the three-safety package is it doesn't require the Bills to substitute as much. Since he can play strong and free safety, Fewell can give Wilson or Byrd a break every now, therefore keeping all three of them fresh.

Whitner said the three safeties work well together.

"Communication is great back there," he said. "I think it makes us more athletic and physical on the back end of the defense. So I can see why we could see more of that as we go along."

There will be times when the Bills use only two safeties. It's hard to image Whitner might not being one of them, but he's prepared to do what is asked of him.

"Whatever the coaches feel I need to do to help us win games I'm good with that," he said. Even if my role changes a little but, I'm going to be still out there on the football field and do what I can do for this football team. That's the most important thing."