The Buffalo Bills have been dealing with minor injuries since they started training camp on July 29, and nowhere will that have a bigger effect on their first pre-season game than along the offensive line. Projected starters Demetrius Bell, Eric Wood and Cornell Green have all been ruled out for Friday night's pre-season opener against the Washington Redskins.
Bell and Wood continue to ease their way back into the lineup after season-ending surgeries last year; both will be held back to ensure that they're ready for the September 12 season opener. Green, meanwhile, has missed the last several days of practice, though the injury is still considered minor.
Jamon Meredith is a lock to get the start at left tackle, having been the primary backup at that position throughout camp to this point. Undrafted rookie free agent Cordaro Howard spelled Wood at right guard in practice Wednesday night, and is likely to get the start at right guard, particularly with Andre Ramsey questionable for the game. Kirk Chambers is listed as the second-team right tackle on the team's unofficial depth chart, and will likely get the start there; if not, Kyle Calloway will get the nod. Andy Levitre and Geoff Hangartner will man their usual left guard and center posts, respectively.
The team is traveling to D.C. today, with Friday's kickoff slated for 7:30 PM. The starting units are not expected to see a lot of action, but they'll get enough to make it worth their while. Your question for the comments section: considering Trent Edwards' injury history, how much playing time is too much for Friday considering how beat up Buffalo's line is already?