News

The news was somewhat anticipated after neither player was able to practice during the week, but head coach Chan Gailey confirmed it Friday after practice. Both wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt and safety George Wilson will not be available for Sunday’s AFC East rematch with the Jets in New York.

“Naaman Roosevelt is going to be out,” said Gailey. “George Wilson is going to be out.”

Roosevelt suffered a shoulder injury last week at Miami and it did not recover in time to practice let alone play on Sunday. Wilson meanwhile has been dealing with a neck stinger that has taken some time to heal. The Jets game will be the second straight start that Wilson has missed.

Set to fill the void in Wilson’s absence will again be Da’Norris Searcy, who performed well last week at Miami as he led the team in tackles with 11.

“Searcy stepped in and played great,” said Wilson of his understudy. “He tackled well in the run game. So he showed the ability to come in and control his position for the most part and he was very productive.”

It’s a bit harder to say who might fill Roosevelt’s receiver role. Prior to the loss of Donald Jones, Roosevelt was working primarily as the team’s fourth receiver. That duty will either fall to Ruvell Martin or Kamar Aiken, who was just elevated from the practice squad this week.

Free agent Derek Hagan, who was signed on Tuesday, is not expected to be active Sunday as he gets more accustomed to Buffalo’s playbook.

Johnson, Nelson probable
The good news for Buffalo’s receiving corps is their two leading wideouts in terms of production are expected to play. Stevie Johnson practiced in full on Friday and is listed as probable.

Nelson is also listed as probable after practicing fully on both Thursday and Friday.

“I’ll be good to go,” said Nelson. “After our performance last week I’m very eager to get back on the field and make some plays.”

Offensive tackle Demetrius Bell is also listed as probable, but rookie Chris Hairston will start at left tackle Sunday.