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The biggest news on the health front for the Buffalo Bills is the hospitalization of team owner Ralph Wilson. There is no official word since Mark Gaughan's intial report in the Buffalo News, but Detroit's ABC affiliate WXYZ is reporting it is a "minor illness". That comes via WKBW's Shawn Stepner.
On the field, the newest Bill on the injury report is quarterback/receiver Brad Smith, who injured his groin last night against the Detroit Lions. That could complicate the already murky waters at backup quarterback. If Smith isn't healthy a week from now, the Bills may have to keep Tyler Thigpen on the roster for the opening game, thus guaranteeing him his $2.5 million salary in 2012.
"He pulled his groin," said head coach Chan Gailey after the game. "I don’t know how bad it is. I don’t think it’s terribly bad, but it’s not good any time you get one of those."
Gailey didn't seem to think it would affect his roster decision at the quarterback position, but was careful to point out that he didn't know the severity of the injury."I don’t think so right now," said Gailey. "Let’s see how bad it is first."
Andy Levitre was knocked from the game with an apparent re-aggravation of a previous elbow injury. Reporters at the game said he appeared fine later, and only missed the final few first-team snaps. Gailey said after the game that in a regular season context, Levitre would have quickly returned to the field.
The other injury news were the players that weren't on the field. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams sat out with a minor wrist injury. Cornerbacks Ron Brooks and Terrence McGee didn't make the trip to Detroit. Brooks suffered a foot injury on Tuesday when he was stepped on in practice, and McGee has been battling back from knee surgery.
Right tackle Erik Pears and defensive end Mark Anderson were ruled out with groin injuries earlier in the week. Gailey has seemed confident that both starters will be available for Week 1, and Williams will be just fine to start, as well.