The Buffalo Bills have been playing 305-pound defensive end Alex Carrington, a 2010 third-round pick, at outside linebacker all summer and into Week 1. Carrington saw a significant amount of playing time as a rush linebacker in Kansas City, spelling both starters (Chris Kelsay and Shawne Merriman) on both sides of the formation.
Carrington participated fully in the first preparatory practice for Week 2, but did so with a wrap on his leg, per several reports. (He worked out with the defensive linemen, per BuffaloBills.com.) Perhaps concerned about the depth behind Kelsay and Carrington - the team's two "heavy" outside 'backers - the Bills began working Spencer Johnson with the outside linebackers during practice on Wednesday.
Johnson did this some during training camp, but it was short-lived, and he spent most of his time working with the defensive linemen. However, if Carrington were to be injured, Johnson is a logical player to fill that role, as though he sacrifices a lot of height and length, he's stout and athletic on the edge.
Johnson, one of Buffalo's best rotational players defensively, recorded a sack and two tackles in Kansas City.