Stephon Gilmore injury update: Bills CB begins conditioning work

If you were under the impression that Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore might return sooner than expected from a wrist break that required surgery, you may have missed the photo of said wrist tweeted out yesterday by ESPN.com's Mike Rodak.

Then again, you may be glad that you did miss it. The photo, which we'll post at the end of this brief article to give you as much time to click back to our home page if you're squeamish, shows Gilmore's surgically repaired wrist as it exists today: supported by three very visible pins, and almost always covered by a brace (though not in said photo).

Gilmore did begin doing some light conditioning work with trainers during Bills practice on Wednesday, and the second-year cornerback called it a "step forward" in his return to the lineup. Given the current nature of his wrist, however, it's tough to imagine that much has shifted from the initial 6-8 week timetable he was given following surgery. That could put him in line for a return to the lineup sometime between Week 4 (home against Baltimore) and Week 6 (home against Cincinnati).

While Gilmore is out of the lineup, Leodis McKelvin and Justin Rogers are handling the starting cornerback duties - and with nickel corner Ron Brooks also shelved after foot surgery, undrafted rookie Nickell Robey will be playing a lot, as well.

Here, as promised, is that Gilmore photo from Rodak. Last chance for those with a weak constitution to bail.

Closer look at Stephon Gilmore's wrist. Still has pins to support fracture pic.twitter.com/o0dHjjpdCV

— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) September 11, 2013