Posluszny, Whitner and the Banged-Up Bills: Your Injury Questions Answered...

In what has been a crazy two weeks as a Bills fan, a lot of questions have likely popped into your head.

We've heard about Terrell Owens and his ongoing verbal battle with the media and now Rodney Harrison. That's all fine and dandy for ESPN. They love the soap-opera stories on "NFL Live." 

In reality, however, there are many more questions that need to be answered, mainly regarding the stockpiling injuries in Buffalo. 

Here's what has got to be on the mind of every real Buffalo Bills fan out there, and hopefully some semi-intelligent answers...

How are we going to play well with all these injuries? (Brad Butler, Derek Schouman, Leodis McKelvin, Paul Posluszny, Donte Whitner, Bryan Scott, Demetrius Bell)

To answer your collective question, Bills faithful, I'd start by saying that injuries never help a team. They're considered setbacks for a reason. Full-time starters are replaced by guys who usually see limited playing time. Let's start down the line of wounded soldiers, discuss who's replacing them and touch on how that new starter will fair in his tenure as a first-stringer.

Injured: Brad Butler (Season)

Replacement: Kirk Chambers

I know what many of you are thinking. Jonathan Scott played right tackle against the Saints, but it has been Chambers who's taken the majority of right tackle reps this week in practice while Scott has scooted over to Trent Edwards' blindside.

Chambers is a five-year veteran known for being a "swing tackle" during his career in the NFL. He won't devastate you with crushing blocks, but he's not going to show up on tape whiffing repeatedly, either.

I'd much rather have Brad Butler manning the right edge, but Chambers can get the job done. But expect to see some hiccups.

Drop off: Somewhat severe

Injured: Derek Schouman (Season)

Replacements: Shawn Nelson, Derek Fine

Derek Fine is a chip off the old Derek Schouman block, although Schouman had developed a great rapport with Edwards prior to his untimely knee injury. Fine dropped two balls against the Saints and is probably a year away from becoming more than just a blocking tight end. 

Shawn Nelson, who is reportedly going to suit up in Miami Sunday, is a gifted athlete drafted solely on his pass-catching ability. He's opened eyes with his run blocking, however, and the more polished he becomes cracking helmets with the big boys, the more he'll see the field.

If Nelson gets significantly more time, I wouldn't be shocked if he becomes a favorite target of Edwards. It's about time Buffalo had some talent at tight end.

Drop off: Minimal

Injured: Leodis McKelvin (Season)

Replacement: Drayton Florence

Florence was coveted by Buffalo two offseasons ago before he signed with the Broncos. To me, he was a product of a great system in San Diego, but is no slouch when it comes to being a cover corner. He's a better tackler than McKelvin and has been through two weeks of practice, full-go.

Although many believed McKelvin had turned the corner in coverage, I wasn't buying it just yet. He still wasn't able to adjust to the array of receivers' routes, but his athleticism helped him dearly when he got out of position. He'll be missed returning kicks more than anything.

Drop off: None to minimal

Injured: Paul Posluszny (Most likely, another month)

Replacement: Marcus Buggs

The Bills have dealt with the loss of Posluszny for two games now and although Buggs hasn't been spotlighted on any huge mistakes, he's light years behind Poz, as expected.

Though he wasn't on the field much against New Orleans mainly due to their four and five wide receiver sets, Buggs was a liability. He's decently athletic, but Posluszny has such great command of the defense and flies all over the field, as sure a tackler as they come. Posluszny's injury can't heal soon enough.

Drop off: Severe

Injured: Donte Whitner (Week to Week)

Replacement: Jairus Byrd

Whitner has been labeled a bust by some. Considering he was drafted No. 8 overall and has only three interceptions with one sack, those doubters may be correct number-wise. But he's the team's vocal leader and has become hungrier attacking ball carriers this season.

Byrd was drafted to do what Whitner has shown he has trouble with: intercepting passes. Byrd's ball-hawking prowess at Oregon is well documented, but his missing training camp has shown in the first three contests.

He has the ability to be a good safety in the league, but it'll take time. He needs more aggression.

Drop off: Considerable to Severe

Injured: Bryan Scott (Unknown. Most likely not available vs. Miami)

Replacements: George Wilson, Nic Harris

This is one of the more interesting replacements, seeing that Harris was a college safety at Oklahoma. The Bills had moved him down to linebacker, so now he's back home. Whether he can move with the increased speed of the NFL receivers remains to be seen. He certainly has the instincts.

George Wilson is probably 1A to Donte Whiter from a vocal leader standpoint.

He's remembered for his interception for a touchdown against Dallas on Monday Night Football just a few years ago, but isn't a "centerfielder" by any means.

He's a converted wide-out, so that helps him dramatically when his lack of athleticism slows him down. Wilson is highly capable of having a solid game and isn't afraid to bump heads with anyone. I'm just not sure if he's got the body to do it for an extended period.

Drop Off: Minimal

Injured: Demetrius Bell (Day to Day)

Replacement: Jonathan Scott

Bell has had his issues with penalties and speed rushers early in the season, but he's displayed improvement in the Bills' first three games.

Scott, who's bigger than Bell, jumps over to left tackle where he'll have his hands full with the Dolphins aggressive, blitzing defense. He's somewhat limited athletically, but has shown great technique coming out of Texas. (He's not the next Mike Williams disaster)

Alex Van Pelt will do his best to allow Trent Edwards to get rid of the ball quickly, because Scott can't be trusted for an entire game.

Overall, the amount of injuries will probably cause more issues than who's replacing the starters. Posluszny to Buggs is a considerable drop off, as is the case with Brad Butler being replaced by Kirk Chambers. Get well soon, starters.

There you have it...the banged up Buffalo Bills. Watching the new guys step in will be worrisome, but it'll be very interesting to see how they play during their time in the NFL spotlight.