Bills notebook
Whitner returns, then exits with shoulder injury
The good news is the Buffalo Bills got strong safety Donte Whitner back.
The bad news is he couldn't finish what he started.
The good news is the Bills' secondary finally showed signs of health.
The bad news is their good fortunate didn't last very long.
Playing less than two weeks after suffering a separated right shoulder, Whitner made an earlier-than-expected return to the lineup. But depending on the grade — with Grade 5 being the most serious — separated shoulders can take weeks to heal.
Whether Whitner has great recuperative powers, he wore added protection or got a medical boost, there was nothing that was going to keep the Cleveland native from playing against the Browns.
However, Whitner only got through half the game as he re-injured his right shoulder and stayed in the locker room after halftime.
He was joined in the training room by starting cornerback Jabari Greer, who left the game in the first half with a knee injury.
Greer has been one of the more durable members of the secondary, which has seen the Bills' other three starters — Whitner, free safety Ko Simpson and cornerback Terrence McGee — miss time with injuries.
Bills head coach Dick Jauron wouldn't spell out the nature of the injuries to Whitner and Greer, but Jauron did say both were "significant."
Injuries have stretched the Bills' secondary depth thin all season and forced them to use a variety of people to make up for the losses. With veterans out, rookies Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner have gotten more and more playing time. Both saw significant action Monday night.
In fact, Corner and McKelvin had chances to affect the final outcome.
On the Browns' last drive, Corner blitzed off the right side of the defensive formation and had a clean shot on Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. But Corner somehow whiffed on the sack as Quinn stepped up in the pocket and delivered a 16-yard completion to tight end Kellen Winslow.
Later in the drive, McKelvin could have ended the contest in the Bills' favor with an interception. But couldn't hold on to a pass intended for receiver Donte Stallworth. The Browns took advantage of McKelvin's drop by getting a game-winning 56-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.
"The injury situation makes you play guys you wouldn't necessarily want to play this early," head coach Dick Jauron said. "But it also helps you develop them. So there's a good side to it, too. We think those two guys are good young, tough football players. We think they'll help us." ...
It looks like the Bills have discovered a good rookie wide receiver, and no, we're not talking about James Hardy.
Everyone knows about Hardy, the Bills' second-round draft pick. But Stevie Johnson is beginning to earn more playing time.
The Bills' seventh-round selection started for the first time Monday as the Bills opened in a three-wide receiver formation ahead of Hardy.
Johnson dropped an easy third-down pass in the first quarter, but redeemed himself with an 11-yard grab late in the second quarter. He finished with three catches for 41 yards. Conversely, Hardy didn't have a catch. It was the sixth time this season he got shut out.
"Every week in practice it doesn't matter if you're last on the roster, you just have to go out in practice and work hard," Johnson said. "Being a seventh round draft pick, I wanted to show I can contribute to this team."
...
Right guard Brad Butler ended a three-game absence from a sprained knee. It may only be a coincidence, but his return coincided with the Bills' most productive rushing performance of the season.
Butler also came back at a good time. Backup guard Jason Whittle was inactive Monday night. Whittle has been dealing with a sore back, though it is not known if that was the reason he was out.
Wide receiver Josh Reed missed his third straight game because of a sprained ankle. He did some work on the side during practice last week, but it's not certain if he'll play at Kansas City on Sunday.
Also inactive was defensive end Aaron Schobel, who has missed the last five games with a foot/toe injury. Meanwhile, defensive tackle John McCargo was inactive for the third time this season and the second time in three games that McCargo was a healthy scratch. The other inactives were running back Xavier Omon, wide receiver Justin Jenkins and offensive tackle Demetrius Bell. ...
Crew members of the USS Freedom were at the game as guests of the Bills players, who provided the tickets for them. The Navy's newest warship is docked at Buffalo's Inner Harbor. ... Former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller watched the game from the sideline. ...
Former Bills safety Mark Kelso and Gretchen Geitter, the team's vice president of community relations, received the 23rd annual Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Distinguished Service Award during pregame ceremonies. The award, given out by the Monday Quarterback Club, was established in 1986.
Kelso was the Bills' starting free safety for the Bills from 1986-93 and played in 142 regular season games over his eight-year career in Buffalo. Since retiring, he has been active in the Western New York community. Geitter has been with the Bills for 14 years. The Fredonia State and Boston University graduate was honored for her work with local charities and community organizations.
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