I spoke to Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Cordaro Howard this morning and learned the  shoulder surgery he had scheduled has been pushed back a week.

Howard told me he was due to have surgery today in Atlanta, Georgia to repair his labrum and rotator cuff.  The procedure however, has been pushed back until next week because of bad weather conditions that have struck the city.

Howard suffered the injury while playing right tackle in Kansas City on October 31 in what was his secon career start.  Howard attempted to play through the injury but the pain progressed and worsened to the point he was eventually placed on Injured Reserve for the final two games.

An undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech where he once played for current Bills head coach Chan Gailey, Howard had impressive mini and training camps that saw him soar up the depth chart and eventually surpass veterans Kirk Chambers and Jamon Meredith.

He earned his first NFL start on the road at Baltimore October 24 after starting right tackle Cornell Green went down with a knee injury.  Green was later released via an injury settlement.

Howard went on to start three games at right tackle before settling into a platoon with Mansfield Wrotto and also saw time at right guard as the offensive line tried to overcome numerous injuries throughout the season.

Howard said he’s looking forward to having the surgery done so he can fully heal before the start of training camp as he knows he’ll be in fight for a roster spot again, just as he was as an unheralded rookie.

This time, he’ll have a lot more confidence.

“I learned a lot my rookie season,” Howard said. “I learned a lot about the NFL and what it takes to be successful at this level. I tried the best I could but the shoulder injury hampered a lot of the things that I’m good at doing.  I’m just looking forward to getting better and stronger and proving to the coaches again that I can play at the highest level.”

In college Howard helped anchor a Georgia Tech line that finished the season ranked first in the ACC in total offense, rushing yards per game and points scored per game.