Bills notebook
Whitner says he expects to play Sunday
Bills safety Donte Whitner looks ready to return to the field this week, and defensive end Aaron Schobel practiced for the first time in more than a month Wednesday.
Whitner has missed 3z o 1/4 the last four games since suffering a dislocated shoulder against the New York Jets on Nov. 2. He took part fully as the Bills prepared to face Miami this week.
“Right now I haven’t been ruled officially into the game, but I think I’m going to play,” Whitner said. “I feel good enough to play. I feel strong enough to play. . . . Barring any setbacks, I think I’ll be out there.”
Whitner tried to play against Cleveland on Nov. 17 but only was able to make it through the first half. He said that appearance did not set him back. He said he had tests after the game that showed he did not do any further damage to the shoulder.
“Initially they told me four to six weeks,” Whitner said. “Right now I’m sitting at around four weeks anyway.”
Schobel has missed the past seven games with a partial tear in a tendon in his left foot that attaches to his big toe. He worked fully in practice but given his extensive layoff he may be a week away from returning if all goes well.
“It’s getting better,’ Schobel said. “There were a couple plays where it bothered me but for the most part it held up pretty good. . . . Hopefully I’ll be able to play before the season’s out.’
The key will be how the foot responds. It’s possible Schobel could have to have surgery to repair the ligament.
“We just felt like we need to test it out and see where we’re at,” he said. “If it gets worse, then maybe we have to do something. If it doesn’t, then we’re on the right track.”
Meanwhile, tight end Robert Royal (hamstring), cornerback Jabari Greer (knee) and defensive end Chris Ellis (ankle) did not practice. Defensive end Chris Kelsay was excused for personal reasons. Working on a limited basis were linebacker Teddy Lehman (hamstring) and defensive end Copeland Bryan (foot).
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Miami will be without starting guard Justin Smiley, who has a broken ankle. He will be replaced by Andy Alleman, who will make his first career start. Alleman was claimed off waivers from New Orleans after the preseason. He was a third-round pick in 2007. . . . Dolphins third cornerback Jason Allen has a broken hand and did not play last week vs. St. Louis. He did practice Wednesday. If he can’t go, he would be replaced by Joey Thomas, who has appeared in three games this year.
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There still reportedly were about 2,000 tickets left for Sunday’s game in the Rogers Centre, but the game is expected to be announced as a sellout by today’s 4 p. m. deadline to lift the local television blackout. The games in Toronto over the next five years will need to be sold out to be shown on TV in Buffalo. However, given the amount of advance sales for the full package of games and the commitment of the Toronto organizers to make it a success, it’s expected the blackout rule should not be an issue.
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