For the second straight week, a Buffalo Bills wide receiver is missing practice time due to illness. Last week, it was Stevie Johnson; this week, it's David Nelson, who sat out practice Thursday due to illness.
Bills head coach Chan Gailey told reporters after practice that Nelson would have practiced had he not fallen ill; the second-year receiver sat out Wednesday, as well, resting an ankle tweak. Couple that with Johnson practicing on a limited basis - he left early to continue treatment on his shoulder - and Buffalo's banged-up receiving corps is looking even thinner.
Erik Pears (groin) returned to the practice field, however, and took nearly every rep at right tackle despite being listed as limited. He's likely to play on Sunday. Demetrius Bell (shoulder) and Chris Kelsay (groin) were also limited, while Spencer Johnson (calf), George Wilson (neck) and Rian Lindell (shoulder) all missed practice for a second straight day.
Gailey also told reporters that he hopes to get Spence and Wilson back on the field for Friday's practice; if neither can go, their already-tenuous prospects for playing Sunday will diminish further.