ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Bills safety Donte Whitner's return to
practice Wednesday, 10 days after separating his right shoulder,
opened the possibility he could play against the Cleveland Browns
on Monday night.
Coach Dick Jauron said he wouldn't make any predictions about
Whitner's status except to say, "it's in the realm of
possibility" he'll be able to play. Whitner practiced on a limited
basis and appeared wary of raising his shoulder over his head.
Whitner did not make himself available to reporters following
practice, and was not spotted in the locker room. He was hurt in
the fourth quarter of a 26-17 loss to the New York Jets on Nov. 2.
If Whitner can play, it'll be a remarkably quick recovery for a
player with such an injury, which sometimes takes as long as a
month to heal. He certainly has motivation to get back. The Bills
(5-4) are suddenly reeling, having lost three straight and four of
five going into a prime-time game against his hometown Browns
(3-6), a team Whitner grew up watching.
The Bills could use Whitner to bolster a defense that's already
missing its top pass-rusher, Aaron Schobel, who remains out
indefinitely with a left foot injury, and nickel cornerback Ashton
Youboty, who was placed on injured reserve. Whitner is a defensive
captain and also Buffalo's most versatile defensive back.
Rookie receiver James Hardy missed practice due to a hip injury.
The Bills are already down No. 2 receiver Josh Reed, who has missed
the past two games with an injured right foot.
Guard Brad Butler, who's missed the past three games with a knee
injury, practiced fully and should be ready to return.
Earlier in the day, the Bills signed defensive back Dustin Fox
to their practice squad. Fox, who was released by Buffalo before
the start of this season, appeared in the Bills' final five games
last season after spending eight weeks on the practice squad. He's
an Ohio State product who was selected by Minnesota in the third
round of the 2005 draft but spent his entire rookie season on
injured reserve.
Fox also appeared in one game with Philadelphia in 2006.
To make room on their squad, the Bills released offensive
lineman Chris Denman.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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