Bills head coach Chan Gailey was not optimistic going into the week that Marcus Stroud would be able to play against the Jets on Sunday. On Thursday he made it official along with another starter at linebacker.
"Andra Davis was out (Thursday) and his shoulder that he banged up is not coming around as quickly as we had hoped so he's going to be out for this ball game," said Gailey. "And Marcus Stroud with his ankle is not going to make it either."
Both players were injured in the loss the week before at New England. Gailey knows against a team that's capable of playing a power running game in the Jets it doesn't make the task any easier being down two quality run defenders.
"It's very difficult," he said. "It's always hard, but it's an opportunity for someone else to show what they can do. That's what it's about. When you get your opportunity what can you do with it?"
The good news is Paul Posluszny will be back in the lineup after a two week absence due to a mild knee sprain. Gailey said Posluszny will take over the play calling duties in the defensive huddle with Davis out.
"I'll be fine in the nickel packages and stuff like that where I'm making all the calls I'll be fine," said Posluszny after missing the past two games. "It's just like anything else you get right back into it where you left off. I'm confident I'll be able to do the job and manage the game."
As for who lines up next to Posluszny in place of Davis, Gailey said it will come down to the personnel groupings.
"Reggie (Torbor) is in the mix there along with Akin (Ayodele) and (Keith) Ellison has played a lot in there," said Gailey. "It depends on the packages and situations. That'll determine who's in there with Poz."
Posluszny indicated that Akin would handle the base defense responsibilities at Davis' inside linebacker spot.
"I know Akin is going to step up and play really well in the middle and with our D-line, Spence (Johnson) will step up with Dwan (Edwards) and fill the void," said Posluszny. "Injuries for us have been part of the deal and it's something we've got to make the best of."
McGee sounds questionableIn Buffalo's secondary they could be without top cornerback Terrence McGee, who was unable to practice Thursday.
"Terrence McGee, we're still holding out hope," said Gailey in reference to Sunday's game. "He's got a little residual (soreness) from all the offseason stuff. It just bothers him. We had him out here (Wednesday), but he didn't make it (Thursday). We'll see if he can make it out (to practice Friday) and we'll see where we are then."
Gailey said the residual soreness that McGee is dealing with is in his knee. McGee's official status for Sunday's game will be announced Friday afternoon.
