The Buffalo Bills have announced that two drafted rookies - wide receiver Marcus Easley (fourth round) and outside linebacker Danny Batten (sixth round) - have been placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.
Easley was a star during spring practices and early in training camp, but had not practiced in a couple of weeks due to a knee injury. He recently had surgery on the knee, and now obviously will miss the entirety of his rookie season. David Nelson and Chad Jackson have gotten reps as the No. 4 wide receiver, where Easley would likely have been slotted into the lineup.
Batten hurt his shoulder early in camp and has not practiced since, though he had not had a sling on his shoulder in recent days, leading many to believe he was healing. With Batten's season over, the Bills will only list two players at Sam linebacker - Chris Kelsay and Chris Ellis. Both are likely to make the team.
Easley and Batten are the second and third players to be placed on IR this year, joining tight end Joe Klopfenstein. Buffalo's roster now stands at 78 players, so the Bills can make a couple of moves here over the next day or two. One of those moves is expected to be for a reserve tight end.