The Buffalo Bills didn’t have a game Monday, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty of developments with the team. Most notably was news that center Eric Wood has a partially torn MCL in his knee and is expected out two to four weeks, which could end up being the duration of the 2012.
Wood has been playing at a Pro Bowl level this season, but the knee injury suffered against Jacksonville Sunday could cut his season short for the third time in four professional seasons.
“It is always tough to lose a good player,” head coach Chan Gailey said about Wood today. “He is obviously one of our best players. We have gone through this before. Hopefully we will continue on in the same vein, we will not as well but we will try to as best we can.”
For now, Gailey said the plan would be to move guard Kraig Urbik to center with David Snow plugging into Urbik’s spot at right guard. Chad Reinhart could’ve been a valuable play here, but he’s already on Injured Reserve.
The Bills could also be without starting right tackle Chris Hairston this week as well after suffering an ankle injury yesterday. The Bills were already thin at offensive tackle with Erik Pears (hip) out for the season and Hairston filling in.
Gailey said it would be unlikely for Hairston to be able to play this week.
“They called it more of a bruise than anything, but it is a deep bruise. How quickly that responds you just do not know. It will be hard for him to make it this week.”
Sam Young will start in his place and Thomas Welch will be the backup.
In part because the Bills will need at least one more offensive linemen this week, they waived linebacker Kirk Morrison on Monday afternoon. Morrison was re-signed for two years last offseason and entered training camp atop the depth chart at strong side linebacker, but the team moved him inside and he’s been stuck behind second-year starter Kelvin Sheppard.
Morrison was inactive for all 12 games in 2012.
There could be more personnel moves coming. Defensive end Chris Kelsay is not responding well from a neck injury and while Gailey didn’t mention anything beyond this week during his Monday presser, a team source tells me Kelsay could be headed to Injured Reserve soon.
Defensive end Mark Anderson (knee) likely won’t be back this week but the team is committed to getting him on the field before the end of the season. Barring a setback he’s not an I.R. candidate.
Not all the news was bad at One Bills Drive. Wide receiver Stevie Johnson left Sunday’s game after tweaking his hamstring but told reporters today he plans on playing Sunday. The team should also get Donald Jones back after he missed Sunday’s game.
The Bills are off tomorrow, but we’re not. Check back Tuesday for a film review session of Sunday’s win.
