The Buffalo Bills made a much-anticipated roster move today placing key offensive line reserve Kraig Urbik on the injured reserve list and signing OG Chad Rinehart from the practice squad.
Urbik started in place of Eric Wood at right guard but was injured Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. The former Steeler played in nine games for the Bills this season after being claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh.
Also injured in yesterday's game was center Geoff Hangartner. With Hangartner expected to be out at least two weeks, Buffalo needed to add at least one offensive lineman and today promoted guard Chad Rinehart from the practice squad. Rinehart has been on Buffalo's practice squad since October 18th.
Rinehart started four games for the Washington Redskins, who drafted him in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft, before being released in the final round of roster cuts. He played mainly tackle at Northern Iowa. He spent two weeks on the New York Jets practice squad earlier this season.
Yesterday at his press conference Bills head coach Chan Gailey was asked who had ever played center before other than Eric Wood. His answer was short and to the point.
"Andy did last week," said the coach with the corner of a smirk curling on his face.
Chris Brown speculated that Rinehart would take on the role of G/C reserve if push came to shove even though he's never played the position.
To fill Rinehart's spot on the practice squad the Bills brought back familiar face Sean Allen. Allen was originally signed as an undrafted free agent this Spring and played center throughout training camp. He was released during final cuts.