Bills DL Spencer Johnson has been recovering from an ankle injury, but he practiced Thursday and looked good, according to coach Chan Gailey. (US Presswire) |
After trying to practice on Wednesday, Bills RG Kraig Urbik was unable to go Thursday and has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Urbik has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Week 4. Chad Rinehart will once again start in his place.
Three key defensive contributors -- DL Spencer Johnson (ankle), DT Kyle Williams (ankle) and SS Da’Norris Searcy (ankle) -- all practiced on a limited basis Thursday and looked good, according to coach Chan Gailey. It looks like the trio has a good chance of playing against Tennessee.
CB Terrence McGee (knee) was held out again but hopes to practice on Friday. McGee saw a big increase in reps against Arizona (35, up from 15 the week before), and he fared well during the game. But he dealt with some pain afterward.
Bills prepping for Johnson: Tennessee RB Chris Johnson has endured some struggles this year, but the Bills are well aware of what he’s capable of doing. Johnson ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-17 win over Buffalo last year, and the Bills have given up large chunks of yards in the ground game this season on defense. In blowout losses to the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots, the Bills allowed a combined 558 yards on 78 attempts (7.15 yards per carry).
“He scares you,” Gailey said. “Every time he touches the ball, he scares you. You can still see that electric speed and that electric quickness that he has. Yes, he hadn’t made as many yards and the statistics are down, but I’m telling you, defensive coaches hold their breath every time he touches it.”
Rotation at CB likely to continue: Terrence McGee’s status is up in the air for Sunday, but the Bills could really use him in the lineup. Second-year pro Aaron Williams has struggled mightily in pass coverage this year, forcing the Bills to rotate him with McGee -- who has been hobbled with a knee injury all year.
“Terrence is the guy (in that rotation), he and Aaron have kind of shared that duty out there and as time goes on we’ll just see how that unfolds,” Gailey said. “Then if that doesn’t work, we’ll look at who’s next up. It could be [Leodis McKelvin], it could be Justin [Rogers], I don’t know who it will be.”
For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBills and @MarkLud12.