Stephon Gilmore injury: Bills CB to wear protective brace

Six weeks ago, Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore had surgery on his wrist. Today, he'll have the pins from that surgery removed - and tomorrow, he'll return to the practice field for the first time since his preseason injury.

"I'll get them out (Tuesday), depends on how my wrist feels, I'll probably wear a little hard case on it, listen to the trainers and go from there," Gilmore said Monday. "I'm going to practice, see what the coaches want me to do. Take it from there."

Gilmore was given a 6-8 week recovery timetable after his surgery back in late August, so he's right on schedule as he makes his return to the team. It's not yet clear if Gilmore will be ready to play against A.J. Green and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but if he does, he'll almost certainly be wearing some sort of protection on the wrist.

Buffalo's pass defense ranks No. 18 in the NFL at the moment, but with Gilmore and several other key defensive backs out of the lineup, the team has struggled mightily to defend the long ball this season. The sooner Gilmore is back in the lineup, the better - but it's no lock that he'll play in Week 6. The same is true of nickel corner Ron Brooks, returning from foot surgery. Jairus Byrd, however, is very likely to play on Sunday.