It could have been far worse news for the Bills linebacking corps Monday, but as the team's GM Buddy Nix put it they "dodged a bullet." Inside linebacker Paul Posluszny, who left the game early in the third quarter Sunday will miss some time with a knee injury, but it won't be extensive.
"Poz looks like it's a couple to three weeks," said head coach Chan Gailey. "Maybe not as serious as we thought it might have been, so that's our positive. But I can't give you anything better than a couple to three weeks."
Inside linebacker has been a bit of an unlucky position the past week as veteran Kawika Mitchell went down with a foot injury last Wednesday and was placed on injured reserve ending his season before it began.
That prompted Buffalo to sign veteran free agent Akin Ayodele late last week. He was inactive for the opener against Miami, but he'll be needed on Sunday in Green Bay.
"We obviously have to get Akin ready in a hurry to go in and play," said Gailey. "The good thing is he has a little bit of experience in there, but we have to get him ready this week."
Ayodele has experience in the 3-4 defensive scheme having played in Miami's system the past two seasons and in Dallas' 3-4 system in 2006 and 2007.
"I'm still learning," said Ayodele of Buffalo's scheme. "I know the base of it, but the system stuff is something I'll have to look into more. I know (defensive coordinator) George (Edwards) and I know his mindset so I know his thoughts and what he likes. So wherever they need be I'll be ready."
Keith Ellison filled the void left by Posluszny in the game on Sunday, but figures to split time with the stouter Ayodele whose likely to play run downs in the team's base package, while the fleeter Ellison fills Posluszny's subpackage roles.
Head coach Chan Gailey however, was not quite ready to commit to a shared role knowing how well the Packers can throw it with Aaron Rodgers under center and starting running back Ryan Grant out for Sunday.
"We need a couple of days to work on game plan and see how it all pans out," said Gailey. "It depends on the packages that Green Bay wants to throw at us. That will have a lot to do it. The personnel groupings that they bring might determine who we play."
Torbor closerOne veteran in the linebacking corps the Bills are hoping can return to the lineup is Reggie Torbor. A starter at the team's Jack linebacker position, Torbor missed the opener with a chest injury suffered in the preseason.
Gailey has his fingers crossed that he'll have the veteran for Sunday.
"We hope so, but don't know that for sure," Gailey said. "We have to wait and see how practice goes this week."
