Bills vs. Patriots Injury Report: Three Will Miss Finale

by Brian Galliford on Dec 30, 2011 12:32 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

The Week 17 injury report has not officially been released yet, but when the Buffalo Bills take on the New England Patriots on Sunday, they'll be without the services of three players that did not participate in practice this week.

Demetrius Bell (knee) will be replaced by rookie Chris Hairston at left tackle. Kraig Urbik (knee) was spelled by Colin Brown at center in last week's win over Denver, and Brown will get his first career start at that position in New England. Finally, Brad Smith (hamstring) will sit out the finale, as well, replaced at receiver likely by a combination of players headlined by veteran Derek Hagan.

It has been another absurd season for Buffalo on the injury front, with a key player landing on Injured Reserve or being ruled out of a critical matchup seemingly every week. This is the last injury report post we'll be writing for a while; cross your fingers that what's left of the Buffalo Bills can get through their last game of the season on Sunday in a healthy fashion.

Regular season finales during non-playoff seasons stink. You can sense change on the horizon, but we're stuck watching the remnants of a once-promising team trying to salvage a modicum of pride. Who else is ready for the season to be over?

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Thats a perfect last sentence.

Any word on Clowney?

Come on Buffalo, please?

by bflo on Dec 30, 2011 12:42 PM EST via Android app reply actions

The fact that ~~Hogan~~ Hagan is replacing Smith should be all that you.

WE NEED RG3!!!!!

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 30, 2011 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

Buh

I’m ready I guess… how many teams go 4-1 or 5-2 and then miss the playoffs? We circled the wagons and then they all caught on fire and burned to the ground.

12 years without playoffs now… its kind of a drag being a fan for the regular season and having to pick a team to watch or root for in the playoffs each year.

I seriously hate off-season more than losing in the regular season lately, because the Bills so often fail to do anything impressive. I feel like the last BIG offseason move they made was bringing in Takeo Spikes, that brought a lot of excitement. Drew Bledsoe, Sam Adams was a big signing I remember, Lawyer Molloy… and what in the last 4 years? Nick Barnett? That’s it? Shawne Merriman? No offense to those guys, but they’re not exactly putting butts in the seats or bringing hope in the offseason. I realize a build through the draft mentality is what they’re after, but at some point, you have to SIGN some people who have leadership and some years left in them to fill in the gaps on your team.

Here comes another offseason with wish lists that don’t get answered.

by JjR in TO on Dec 30, 2011 12:43 PM EST reply actions

Don’t forget future Hall of Famer Rob Johnson!

"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Dec 30, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t forget ~~future~~ current Hall of ~~Famer~~ Shamer Rob Johnson!

There, fixed it for you.

WE NEED RG3!!!!!

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 30, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

actually, i think under Jauron, the Bills started out 5-1 and didn’t make the playoffs. That is why i didn’t jump on the band wagon of hype.

Are we drafting Dino's now?
"6'6" monster receiver with a Terradactyl wingspan "....... Keysh67

by Billsfanstuckinthesouth on Dec 31, 2011 7:00 AM EST up reply actions

I have been ready for this to be over for a long time

Somewhere in the middle of that horrific losing streak fueled by injury and inconsistent QB play, it became apparent that we couldn’t compete with the big boys yet. At that point, even though I never root for the Bills to lose, the wins don’t feel as satisfying and the losses hurt less and less.

You can sense change on the horizon

Is that a good thing? We have seen plenty of change over the last 12 years. Never confuse change with progress.

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu

by Joe P. on Dec 30, 2011 1:10 PM EST reply actions

ENOUGH WITH THE EFFING EXCUSES

The strength and conditioning coaches have to GO. The Medical staff has to GO.

"If You Ain't a Bill I Don't Give a Fxck Bout Ya!! Most Disrespected Team in NFL! I Always feel Disrespected! I'm All In!" -- Steve Johnson

by go_buff on Dec 30, 2011 1:20 PM EST reply actions

Ironically, you just called for the heads of the No. 1 excuse on this issue.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 30, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

I dont agree with go_buff at all.

The training and medical staff did not have the off season to work with the players due to the lockout. The first season CHIX took over the injuries were reduced and 13 players were on the IR. Now with the lockout that number has increased to 20 and many more injured. I think the lockout had a major toll on the Bills. They had showed progress in less injuries and then this year it spiked up again. Lets see what happens next year before we fire people who only had 1 season to implement their off season training program.

You are now Watching The Throne.

by tomcs on Dec 30, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

I’m with you tomcs, no OTA’s or minicamps in the off-season this past season. When Chan came in he totally changed the teams work out area and threw out all the tv’s and other crap that made it look more like your basement game room/Den. As much as people would like to see a team win the superbowl in one or two seasons is totally unrealistic or even make the playoffs. Especially after a lockout. Enjoy the rebuild process, we’ll be back to the playoffs before you know it……… well i hope.

Are we drafting Dino's now?
"6'6" monster receiver with a Terradactyl wingspan "....... Keysh67

by Billsfanstuckinthesouth on Dec 31, 2011 7:23 AM EST up reply actions

Who else is ready for the season to be over?

Not me. Even in the current situation I look forward to Bills games every Sunday.

Now if it was a matter of the season ending, FA starting next week, the draft the week after, and the season starting the week after that, I’d buy in to looking forward to this year ending.

by Pistol on Dec 30, 2011 1:31 PM EST reply actions

I haven’t seen a game in a month. In some ways, I feel like it’s been over for a while now. That’s on the FO in so many ways, for failing to sell out games.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 30, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

I’ll be the positive person here and say that I’m excited for a chance to sweep the season series vs. the patriots. I think that might have a more significant positive impact on the general vibe of the offseason that we think.

@sawyervanhorn

by Sawyer in Boston on Dec 30, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

I’m not really worried about injuries, in part because the team will be fielding so many scrubs already. I would like the team to go all out and try to send the Pats into the post season with a headscratching loss.

I wasn't sure I was going to like the white helmets but seeing them in the practice footage, I've got to say that I love the look.

by Ron From NM on Dec 30, 2011 1:59 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Center position

Who is the backup to the backup’s backup?

"I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was important -- like a league game."
Dick Butkus

by Goose22 on Dec 30, 2011 2:25 PM EST reply actions

Our secret weapon!

Jasparasaurus!

"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Dec 30, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I still want to see him punch one in on the goal line.

WE NEED RG3!!!!!

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 30, 2011 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Probably the alternate backup to the backup – Levitre.

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman

by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 30, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

I asked this earlier in the season

But has there ever been another NFL franchise that started their seasons as the 2008 and 2011 Bills did, only to miss the playoffs.

I seriously doubt that management can get the job done. Not looking forward to more rebuilding of the rebuild. Let’s just hope the Pats don’t play dead to mess with the Bills draft slotting.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 30, 2011 3:45 PM EST reply actions

Might as well put Smith on IR too...

WE NEED RG3!!!!!

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 30, 2011 6:12 PM EST reply actions

The first week of March can't come soon enough...

I’ve been looking at Free Agent possibilities for a month now…very sad…

www.Foundation58.org - "Helping Those Who Help Us" in the fight against cancer.

by RIP058 on Dec 30, 2011 10:08 PM EST via mobile reply actions

There must be something wrong with me

I appreciate they lost a bunch but I still enjoy watching and it is not the car accident, I am compelled to watch thing. I saw some progress in the early part of the year and the offense was even impressive and entertaining. The D at least for a while had a lot of takeaways and keep the other teams out of the endzone. I hope I am keeping faith in a team who is on the road to improving, I would like to see Chan stay awhile and succeed. I am not sure I am right to do it but it was still just year 2 of the rebuild and I did see some improvement. They will try to do the necessary stuff to get better IMO. Or at least that is the hope. Go Bills! BTW I am so ready for Bills football well into January! Happy New Years everybody, have a safe, joyous and healthy one!

"God all-MIGHTY! God all-MIGHTY! Why do we DO that?!! God all-MIGHTY!!!" "Just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys."
"We're at the crossroads...there's no doubt about that. But you can get it done...you can get it done...what's more you've GOT to get it done." Lou Saban

by zoomer02 on Dec 31, 2011 6:03 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

I'm with you, bear for punishment .

PS—love your Saban quotes—put him on the wall with Cookie.

It was Cookie's turn to lead the "easiest exercise" during the Monday practice after a game-- he said-- "we're going to do deep breathing--everybody inhale--dehale "---As told by Jack Kemp at my high school sports banquet circa 1966.

by radan on Dec 31, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions