Bills right tackle Erik Pears had surgery to correct a groin/hip problem last spring. That problem has apparently cropped up again forcing the lineman to miss practice Thursday.
"The only new thing that's come up is Erik Pears has been struggling with that hip that he had the procedure on this offseason," said head coach Chan Gailey. "He went to see a specialist today. So he'll be back tomorrow and we'll know more."
Pears was a new addition to the team's injury report on Wednesday when he was listed as a limited participant in practice. Gailey would not rule out Pears for Sunday's game, choosing to wait for the report on Pears' ailing hip from the specialist's office.
Chris Hairston took the starting right tackle reps in Pears' absence and would start there on Sunday if the veteran tackle was unable to play at Houston.
Anderson out for SundayBills DE Mark Anderson, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, will miss a third game Sunday in Houston.
Gailey ruled Anderson out after he was unable to practice with the team on Wednesday or Thursday.
"He won't make it this week," said Gailey after Thursday's practice.
Anderson told Buffalobills.com that he has made good progress since he sustained the injury at San Francisco in Week 5.
"I'm getting better each week," he said. "I'm doing stuff each day to improve it strength-wise."
The pass rusher said when the injury happened he wasn't concerned about it being a season-ending injury.
"The only thing I was worried was not being out there with my teammates," he said. "I've got a positive mindset so I thought I'd be able to get back before the season was over to help this team."
When asked if he might be ready for Buffalo's Week 10 game at New England, Anderson wasn't ready to commit to it. "I don't know," said Anderson. "Right now I'm just working hard and it's up to the trainers and my body on how everything will work out. But I feel good and hope it all works out. I see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I've just got to keep working and get better."
