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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brad Smith missed practice on Wednesday as he rests up hip and hamstring injuries, the latter of which is giving him the most problems going into a Week 17 tilt with the New England Patriots.
It's been a weird season from Smith, a free agent signing from the New York Jets this past July. He started the season as a kick returner and Wildcat runner, and saw limited opportunities with only moderate success in that capacity. Then injuries forced him to move full-time to receiver, where he's followed up a three-game outburst (14 catches, 184 yards ans a score from Weeks 11-13) with a crash back to earth (four catches, 13 yards in his last three games).
Now, Smith - who signed a four-year, $15 million contract with Buffalo - may end his first season with the Bills on the inactive list. Just like he needed to do (and didn't) with C.J. Spiller a year ago, Chan Gailey has his work cut out for him finding a role for Smith heading into 2012.
In addition to Smith, Demetrius Bell (knee) and Kraig Urbik (knee) both missed practice, while Ruvell Martin (hamstring) was limited.