Stevie Johnson has been dealing with a nagging groin problem since Week 1. It didn't appear to slow him down much in Buffalo's Week 2 win over Oakland as he contributed eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. But the wear and tear of being on the field for some 60-plus plays hasn't made his situation any better.
"I can feel it when I walk now," he said. "Last week I didn't feel it when I walked, only when I got on the field. But now it's just there, so I'll get some extra treatment this week and be ready to go."
Johnson had to exit Sunday's game a few times on the Bills last touchdown drive due to cramps in his calves. He substituted back in and out a couple of times on Buffalo's game-winning possession. But the Bills top wideout insists his groin injury is no worse than it was prior to Sunday's game.
"I think it's just day after the game soreness," said Johnson. "I didn't pop it or pull it or anything. It's just day after the game soreness."
When asked if he was harboring any concerns about Johnson's nagging groin ailment, head coach Chan Gailey indicated he wasn't.
"Not that big of a concern," he said.
Johnson isn't sure if it's going to be a season long battle with the injury at this point.
"It happened in training camp and then it went away for a few weeks all the way up until Week 1," he said. "I can't say it'll go the whole season, we'll just have to see what happens on a week to week basis or a day to day basis."
Last week head coach Chan Gailey gave Johnson a rest day on Thursday holding him out of practice. It's possible that could become the weekly approach to increase the amount of rest for the injury.
"I'm coming in (Tuesday) to get extra treatment and then Wednesday I'll get more," Johnson said. "We'll see what happens with the whole practice schedule and whether I'm practicing or not."
"We'll do what's right by him and by the team. It's got to all work together," said Gailey. "We'll be smart about it. We're not going to be dumb about it and go out there and make him take every rep if it's not good for him and the trainers will let me know. They always do."
"Right now I feel like it's something I'm just going to have to play through," said Johnson. "My groin is sore. It's about a seven (out of 10) right now, so I can't say it's the worst, but I feel it."
Parrish injury "long term"; Urbik also outWhile Johnson is expected to play on Sunday the same cannot be said for Roscoe Parrish. Parrish sustained an ankle injury in Sunday's game and Gailey was not encouraged by the diagnosis.
"More long term than short term unfortunately," he said.
When asked if injured reserve would be a consideration for Parrish, Gailey at this point could not completely rule it out.
"Let's see how the reports go," said Gailey. "He's supposed to see some more people later this week and I hope that's an outside chance (that he can return), but you never can say never."
Parrish missed the second half of the 2010 season with a broken wrist.
Meanwhile starting right guard Kraig Urbik suffered a knee injury in Sunday's game and will be out two to four weeks according to Gailey. Chad Rinehart served as his replacement Sunday and will continue to serve in that capacity moving forward.
