Banged-up Bills use bye to rest and recuperate

By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.(AP) — Bills coach Dick Jauron wasn’t kidding
when he wondered whether he’d have enough players available to
practice during the team’s bye week.

The Bills on Tuesday kicked off their first of two scheduled
practices this week with 16 players either absent or not
participating. Among those not practicing was starting
cornerback Terrence McGee who, a day earlier, had arthroscopic
surgery on his right knee to repair minor damage.

McGee said he elected to have the procedure done at the start of
the team’s two-week break so he could have a chance to recover
in time for Buffalo’s game at Tennessee on Nov. 15.

Another notable missing practice was rookie safety Jairus Byrd,
who had treatment in Philadelphia on Monday after he aggravated
a groin injury related to a sports hernia operation he had last
summer.

Also not practicing were starting defensive end Aaron Schobel,
who’s nursing a groin injury, and starting linebacker Keith
Ellison, who strained his right quadriceps in a 31-10 loss to
Houston last weekend. Numerous veterans, including receivers
Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, were held out to get a chance to
rest.

On the bright side, quarterback Trent Edwards continued
practicing and is on track to regain his starting job after
missing two games since sustaining a concussion in a 16-13
overtime win over the New York Jets on Oct. 18. Edwards said
he’s headache-free but is still experiencing a few symptoms,
which he declined to discuss.

After practicing Wednesday, the Bills (3-5) are off until
Monday.

McGee’s status is the biggest concern because he’s part of a
unit that’s already been riddled with injuries. Buffalo has two
defensive starters on injured reserve – linebacker Kawika
Mitchell and cornerback Leodis McKelvin – and has spent most of
this season without starting safeties Donte Whitner and Bryan
Scott.

Whitner’s return is uncertain after he’s missed two games with a
sprained ankle. Scott is ready to return after missing five
games with a sprained left ankle, though he could be switching
positions after practicing with the Bills’ depleted linebacking
corps.

McGee was optimistic he won’t miss a game, noting doctors told
him he will miss between 10 days and two weeks. McGee was having
difficulty walking on crutches in the locker room, and said his
knee is swollen and stiff.

Though he has yet to miss a game this season, McGee has been
playing with a sore knee since he was hurt in a 38-10 loss at
Miami on Oct. 4. The injury has not affected his play. The
seventh-year NFL veteran ranks fifth on the team with 38 tackles
and is part of a defense that’s been among the NFL’s best
against the pass.

Byrd’s status is uncertain after he was sidelined late in the
game against Houston. His visit to a specialist this week had
already been scheduled. It became more than a routine visit
after he recently began experiencing groin pain.

Byrd said he received treatment but will have to wait until next
week to determine whether he can resume practicing.

The second-round draft pick out of Oregon has been Buffalo’s top
rookie this season. Named the NFL’s rookie of the month last
week, Byrd’s seven interceptions are tied for the league lead
with Saints veteran Darren Sharper. Byrd had two interceptions
against Houston in becoming the first NFL player since San
Francisco’s Dave Baker in 1960 to have at least two in three
straight games.

Schobel shrugged off any questions about the groin injury he
sustained in the first half last weekend, and said he expects to
be ready to play against Tennessee.

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