The Buffalo Bills have announced that they've placed wide receiver Lee Evans on Injured Reserve, cutting his 2010 season short - as well as his streak of 109 consecutive appearances since his rookie season in 2004.
Evans, who has two years remaining (2011 and 2012) on a lucrative four-year extension he signed in October 2008, ends the season with career lows of 37 receptions and 548 yards. His four touchdown receptions - three of which came in a Week 6 loss to Baltimore - is the second-lowest total of his career.
Filling Evans' spot on the 53-man roster will be free agent journeyman tackle Erik Pears. The 6'8", 305-pound Pears has been in the league since 2006, and has spent time with Denver, Oakland and Jacksonville. He was a starter in Denver for two years, and will likely work primarily at right tackle for the Bills.
The Bills also announced the previously-reported signing of lineman Colin Brown, who will reportedly work inside at guard for his new team. With Brown and Pears on board, the Bills now have ten offensive linemen on their active roster, and a further two on the practice squad. Only seven of those 12 players began the year with the Bills organization.