Buffalo Bills Place Marcus Easley On IR, Re-Sign Ruvell Martin

by Brian Galliford on Sep 13, 2011 2:28 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

A discussion we held earlier this morning has come to fruition: the Buffalo Bills have placed second-year wide receiver Marcus Easley on Injured Reserve, and have re-signed veteran Ruvell Martin to replace him on the active roster.

Easley reportedly was seen pointing to his chest prior to leaving practice last Friday. He lands on IR for the second time in two years, and has still not appeared in a regular season NFL game. The Connecticut product made the team's 53-man roster after overcoming a knee injury, but an illness that cropped up last week (he didn't miss any pre-season action) suddenly put him on the injury report last week, and now will apparently sideline him for the season. Martin, who also made the 53-man roster initially, will now serve as Buffalo's fifth receiver and as a special teams player.

Here's hoping this illness, whatever it is, isn't so serious that it ails Easley personally and professionally more than it already has. Cross your fingers for a speedy recovery.

The Bills also announced that they've released quarterback Levi Brown from the practice squad, replacing him with cornerback Terrence Wheatley. This is likely an insurance move in the event that Terrence McGee's hamstring injury lingers for more than a few weeks.

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What kind of illness lands you on IR???

I sure hope he doesn’t have cancer or something like that.

Wishes going out to Marcus whatever it is, we hope you get well.

Girls use hair spray, Men don't.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GROW UP BY NOT USING HAIRSPRAY MALES!

Don't be a Paully!

by The Buffalo Kid on Sep 13, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

I originally thought it may be Staph Infection...

but there would be no reason to IR him for that. The cryptic reponse to the injury from Chan makes me think it is something far more serious. I hope I am wrong but this sounds like something like cancer.

I hope I am wrong.

by blitzboy54 on Sep 13, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

I'm willing to bet it's a staph infection. Those can be serious. Like MRSA. If he has that, that could IR a player.

by Michael_Necci on Sep 13, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Ive had a very bad case of MRSA and there’s no way it would put someone on IR….maybe a month but no way a whole year

by StevieStyles13 on Sep 13, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Depends on what MRSA you are talking about. There is Methicillin resistant staph aureus, or Multiple Drug resistant staph aureus, both of which are commonly called MRSA. The latter can be VERY serious, and extremely hard to cure. That could easily land you in a hospital for 6 months or more.

"Winning is not a goal. It is a belief."

-Terry Pegula-

by Eric Murawski on Sep 13, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Hope it’s not staph, not just for him but the team in general… A situation like browns had a couple years ago makes the organization look terrible

by Nick Holt on Sep 13, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

To the public, yea it looks bad, but here is the thing. Staph is found literally EVERYWHERE. We all probably encounter it every single day, but our immune system can suppress it most of the time. Only rarely does it get to a place where it can cause a problem. Sure hygiene is important, but like I said, if your home bathroom isnt clean, you can get it there, not just a training room.

"Winning is not a goal. It is a belief."

-Terry Pegula-

by Eric Murawski on Sep 13, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Man I hope not...

I hope to see him next year, healthy and ready to appear in his first game!

by jkra0512 on Sep 13, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt it will be with the Bills.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 13, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Let’s not go there quite yet, shall we? Not really what matters, right?

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 13, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

No its something wrong

with his Chest. On BB.com reports says that he was spoted pointing to his chest while speaking to the athletic trainers.

by doctork44 on Sep 13, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Where's Namaan

Why not bring Roosevelt up from the practice squad instead of Martin?

by PineWoodsBillsFan on Sep 13, 2011 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

Martin is a good special teams player and also a deep threat receiver that has been in the league a few years

I don’t believe it is any disrespect to Naaman

READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL
Let's go Buffalo!
Go Gamecocks!

by jasman on Sep 13, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree here. I love Naaman, but Martin brings both ST skills and experience to the table. Glad they still have Roosevelt regardless.

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Sep 13, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Naaman was cut in favor of Martin when the team needed to get to 53, so it’s not surprising they brought him on board the 53 man roster before Naaman afterward.

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on Sep 13, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I rather see

Aiken…this guy looked good in the pre season

by doctork44 on Sep 13, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

To be fair, he didn’t get many reps before his first preseason action. They must like his potential? I don’t know.

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on Sep 13, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Martin

is bigger.

by Mindbender14 on Sep 13, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

or

Aiken

by dgrid on Sep 13, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Man,

another tough break for this kid. After Fitz and Stevie singing his endorsement over the summer I was all jacked up to see this kid play.

Heres to hoping hes going to be ok, and that he can fight for a spot next year. I want to see him play!!!

Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"

by bflo on Sep 13, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

I think we all were

by NotReadytoRock on Sep 13, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I wasn't

the guy’s proven less than other greats such as Sam Aiken, James Hardy, and Roosevelt for that matter.

Sure it stinks that we didn’t get to see what he had, but all I had to go on was combine measurables and one decent preseason gm.

GO BLUE!!!

by Kumario! on Sep 13, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

yes true we havent seen him much but when we did see soemthing it was good he has great speed and looks promising but i dont know whats gonna happen to him now the bills might be forced to cut him next year

by azores2387 on Sep 13, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Hope you have a speedy recovery Easley… Looking forward to seeing you suit up next season.

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on Sep 13, 2011 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

Whatever...

He barely played in college and he hasn’t played in the NFL – I’m totally over Easley – hope all is well with him and he doesn’t have any lingering health issues, but from a football perspective, whatever – we’re fine without him

by JustAskTheAxis on Sep 13, 2011 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

+1

hope all is well with him and he doesn’t have any lingering health issues, but from a football perspective, whatever

GO BLUE!!!

by Kumario! on Sep 13, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting link on Wheatley who they signed to the PS

Wheatley Link

READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL
Let's go Buffalo!
Go Gamecocks!

by jasman on Sep 13, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

all i can say is wow..

Sad day.

by bizarro bills on Sep 13, 2011 2:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Non football injury list

To those of you who understand the nuances of the NFL roster rules better than me, couldn’t they have placed him on the non-football injury list and open up a roster spot, but with more flexibility down the road if he recovers? I dont know much about the NFI list, which is why I ask the question

by mcgrathp on Sep 13, 2011 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

From Easley's Twitter on Sunday

@MarcusEasley:
@KDgoLive365 ain’t even play bro…minor condition, should b back real soon hopefully

This is confusing. Minor condition should not equal IR. Im not going to criticize Easley or the Bills for not disclosing the nature of the condition, they have every right not to, but it makes it difficult for us to grasp the extent of the situation. Whatever is going on, obviously hoping for a speedy recovery from Easley.

by kfisk214 on Sep 13, 2011 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

Not confusing, not minor

Easley plays ball and isn’t a doctor. Evaluation must have been yesterday – after his hopeful tweet.

As for what it is or could be → When he pulled himself out of practice, he was with the trainers – and pointing at his chest (Chris Brown post). Could be something very serious.

by zipper on Sep 13, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I certainly hope Easley gets well very soon – it’s really unfortunate we didn’t get the chance to see him play this season because the guy’s physically the most talented WR on our squad but he just has no luck at all in terms of injuries. I’m assuming it’s very serious, otherwise he wouldn’t be put on the IR.

by BuffaloBeliever on Sep 13, 2011 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds like Easley = Shawn Nelson

I hope for his sake he shakes whatever it is, but I don’t seem him on the roster next year at this point.

by Khegobier on Sep 13, 2011 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

Thats my take as well, too bad!

by Coach Bob on Sep 13, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope he gets well soon.

I hope he gets well very soon. I would not be surprised to see Marcus contribute to this team in coming years. He clearly has the talent. If he gets well he could benefit greatly from next season’s OTAs.

I don’t see this guy the same as Shawn Nelson. This guy had a knee injury that the Bills decided was season ending and now an illness that the Bills have decided was season ending.

by WhatGoesAround on Sep 13, 2011 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

starting to sound like Hardy 2.0

by lgbfromoregon on Sep 13, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

More like...

…Shawn Nelson 2.0

by PineWoodsBillsFan on Sep 13, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Lowbrow.

by JjR in TO on Sep 13, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't want to speculate on his illness, just want to wish him a speedy & complete recovery.

Football always comes after health and family.

by lonestar_ak on Sep 13, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

And Levi Brown gets the boot...again!

I feel bad for Levi. The kid seems to throw a nice ball and have a good arm. Some times he appears to force it a bit, but I liked the little bit he played in preseason.

by WhatGoesAround on Sep 13, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

wow what a shaock i was hoping to see him play this year he looks very promising i was hoping he would be our number 2 i hope we dont cut himj after this year would like to give him a chance but man does he have bad luck 2 years in a row IR iwonder what his injury is

by azores2387 on Sep 13, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

So wish they didn't trade Lee Evans for a 4th-round pick.

Easley, if you’ll recall, was a 4th-round pick. :sigh:

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 13, 2011 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

i get where you are coming from…but to remain on the hopeful side…here are some 4th-7th products to prove they are out there….the Evans trade can still benefit us in a HUGE way.

Tom Brady-6th
Adalius Thomas-6th
TJ Whosyourmama-7th
Asante Samuel- 4th
Donald Driver-7th
Al Harris-6th
Marques Colston-7th
Brandon Matshall-4th
Jared Allen-4th

by Phelps716 on Sep 13, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

What about Stevie Johnson? He was a 7th round pick in the same draft where they took James Hardy in the 2nd round. I could see pretty quickly which one ran better routes and showed more promise.

by SiriusRed on Sep 13, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

yep 32 NFL teams

hundreds of picks and you come up with 9 players. Sorry but when I look back at the BILLS last 4th round picks over the past 5 years that is poor value for Evans.

"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes

by panekattack on Sep 14, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Definatley missing this stat line

2011 Baltimore Ravens 1 1 0 0 — — 0 — — — — — — —

We are set at 1-4 at WR…Evans did nothing for me the last few years. I like the chemistry we are developing with our young WR’s.

by gmeyer on Sep 13, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

is this some type of joke?

by StevieStyles13 on Sep 13, 2011 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

… no?

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 13, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

He's still a Buffalo Bill....how about supporting the young man???

A young athlete just had his 2nd year end due to some sort of illness. If it is chest related it could very well be career threatening. I wish Easley nothing but the best and (most importantly)…good health.

All this talk about “being over him” or he’s “Hardy 2.0” need to stop. This health condition was serious enough to end his season. I know the fan base we have in Buffalo is great but all this negativity really makes me question what type of human beings some of you are.

by BuffaloFanFromCT on Sep 13, 2011 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Is anybody taking personal shots?

I don’t think so. Saying he’s ‘the next nelson’ or ‘hardy 2.0’ is in no way taking a personal shot at him, all it’s saying is that he is starting to look like another highly touted draft pick that may not work out because of an inability to get/stay healthy. I think everybody who has commented here wishes him all the best; we’re just disappointed that he’s not out there catching passes. Does that make us bad human beings?

by lgbfromoregon on Sep 13, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Fact is

You don’t know the reason he got IR’ed. Of course everyone wishes him well, however, if he can’t stay on the field, he is of no value to the Bills as a football player. So I understand the comparisons to previous players as harsh as that might sound. His “illness” may be a 3 or 4 game deal not season ending. The Bills may have decided to IR him to keep Martin or whomever before injuries set in around the league and no quality receivers are left. Unsure but to say anything at this point without info either way is…….

by Coach Bob on Sep 13, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

So w/ Levi Brown out

does that mean Nesbitt moves back to PS QB?

by dgrid on Sep 13, 2011 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Get Well Marcus

At least he is on the preseason roster so will get a ring when we win the SB this year.

by NHBillzFan on Sep 13, 2011 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Terrible

Truly terrible situation, both for Marcus and for our Bills. Does anyone else see a trend here with Chan? I know the guy knows football. Especially offense. However he really doesn’t understand injuries too well does he? I mean, it seems that most times the guy says someone’s injury is ‘minor’, we put him on IR.

That doesn’t sound minor to me.

Hope you get well Marcus. And that we see you in a Bills uni again some day. I had high hopes for you man.

by DJ O on Sep 13, 2011 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

well I suspect that’s a way to bring in more players, in general. However, I’d imagine Gailey wouldn’t want to do that w/ Easley for a 2nd year unless he has to.

by dgrid on Sep 13, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Look at it like redshirting freshmen.

by cencalclassics on Sep 13, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Srsly hope Marcus is ok, I’m on pins and needles wondering what’s wrong with him, just gonna hope for the best.

On a side note, i wonder why the kid Aiken wasn’t given a chance, and I’m suprised nobody has mentioned him. I think he was big, and he seemed capable of being a 5th WR.

by cencalclassics on Sep 13, 2011 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

Poor kid.

What horrible rotten luck. Totally sucks. Get well soon Marcus.

by The Adam Bomb on Sep 13, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

all the best to him

but i think he is done here… really all the best for the future…

i think we will pick around 7-8 next year…. alshon jeffrey would be a great pick then… gailey had calvin johnson in georgia tech… he likes big fast receivers… alshon would be a perfect receiver for us

by statcruncher on Sep 13, 2011 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

^ like

READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL
Let's go Buffalo!
Go Gamecocks!

by jasman on Sep 13, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone suggested mono earlier. If it were mono, he would not be able to be involved in ANY contact drills for a good 2 months. Something to think about.

But this does have me a bit worried – first D. Nelson (respiratory issue) then Easley (pointing at his chest).

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Sep 13, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds about right.

by cencalclassics on Sep 13, 2011 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope he'll be okay

There are a LOT of possible reasons, and none of them good. I just hope it’s something curable and that he will be ready to go next year. I feel bad for a player who works really hard but gets snakebit year after year.

by SiriusRed on Sep 13, 2011 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

Benny Sapp

Miami just released him after last nights game. He’s not a bad corner and he could be motivated against Miami if the Bills pick him up. We might need the body…

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Sep 13, 2011 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

might be motivated against miami

but he may also give up a 99 yard touchdown against new england

Defense wins championships. 3-0 is a win, pretty or not

"WE COME TO COLECT AND IS PAY DAY IN OUR HOUSE...
I AM A JEDI LIKE THE FATHER BEFORE ME ++++ IN BATTLE WE WILL SETTLE THIS"

by Chronicbillzfan on Sep 13, 2011 9:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

It's a shame...

Hope he has a succesful and speedy recovery. If he does return to the Bills next year he will be a long shot on making the squad. Nix and Chan are not hesitant of getting rid of players and moving on.

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

-- John Wooden

by Goose22 on Sep 14, 2011 8:21 AM EDT reply actions