Bills fullback Darian Barnes left Buffalo's locker room following last Sunday's game on crutches. By Tuesday he had shed them. By Wednesday he was working on his own along the sidelines with trainers while his teammates practiced.
"Sunday it seemed like something was really wrong, but today it's fine," said Barnes. "The MRI came back negative."
Despite the good news head coach Dick Jauron is choosing to reserve judgment until he sees how his starting fullback's foot feels come Friday.
"We'll just see how things move along through the week," said Jauron of Barnes' condition.
If Barnes can't go it's believed the prime candidates to fill the fullback role will be tight end Derek Schouman or offensive lineman Jason Whittle. Both have lined up in Buffalo's offensive backfield in their time with the Bills. And Whittle was practicing with the running backs in Wednesday's practice during individual position drills.
But it all may be moot in light of how confident Barnes is feeling in terms of being ready for Sunday.
"It feels fine so I don't see why I won't play this week."
