The Buffalo Bills have released their Week 8 injury report, and as usual with this team, it's mostly bad news.
Six players have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Quarterback Trent Edwards (head), fullback Corey McIntyre (knee), tight end Shawn Nelson (migraines), tackle Jonathan Scott (ankle), defensive tackle Kyle Williams (knee) and safety Donte Whitner (ankle) will not dress. In addition, safety Bryan Scott - who hasn't played in a month with a high ankle sprain, but who did practice on a limited basis all week - is listed as doubtful.
Williams will miss his first start since being drafted by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 Draft. Whitner and Scott, the team's opening-day duo at safety, will (probably, in the case of Scott) miss their fourth and fifth straight games, respectively, though Whitner did make a brief appearance in a Week 6 win over the Jets before succumbing to his ankle injury. Spencer Johnson starts for Williams. Jairus Byrd and George Wilson - who have combined for six interceptions over the past two weeks - will continue to get the call at safety.
Defensive end Chris Kelsay (back) and cornerback Terrence McGee (knee) are listed as probable. Both are likely to suit up.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will make his second straight start at quarterback in place of Edwards; he's won his last five starts dating back to the end of the 2008 season, when he was with Cincinnati. Jamon Meredith will make his third straight start at right tackle in place of Jonathan Scott. The Bills will once again enter a game with just two healthy tight ends (Derek Fine and Jonathan Stupar), and they do not have a replacement fullback for McIntyre, who has seen more action than usual in recent weeks as a lead blocker.
Meanwhile, two key Texans starters - receiver Andre Johnson and linebacker Brian Cushing - will start on Sunday.