The news was relatively positive for Buffalo's top receiver Stevie Johnson after he left the game for good late in Sunday's game at Houston with a thigh contusion. All indications are he should be ready for this Sunday's road game at New England.
"He may not be able to practice Wednesday, but he should be okay for this weekend," said head coach Chan Gailey Monday.
Appearing on his weekly radio show on Bills flagship WGR Sportsradio 550, Johnson indicated he'll be good to go come Sunday.
"I'll probably sit out Wednesday (practice), do a little bit Thursday and then more on Friday and come out and play on Sunday," said Johnson. "It's not a torn groin so I'll be back. I'll be ready."
Johnson was injured after making his third reception in the loss to Houston Sunday (21-9) when he landed hard and got a bit tangled with a Texans defensive back in the first half. The receiver was limping noticeably with the thigh contusion, but played for most of the game.
The Bills top wideout was supremely disappointed to sustain the injury saying in the days leading up to the game that he felt he would be able to make plays against Houston's secondary.
"I can't even tell you I was so hyped for this game and then I caught a slant pass and ended up dodging the hit, but (the defensive back's) knee ended up banging my thigh," said Johnson. "And from there my whole energy level kind of went down. It was hurting me throughout the entire game and at the end I really couldn't go back out there and run on it. I couldn't run down the passes or elevate when I needed to. It just wasn't working so I had to come out."
Gailey acknowledged that Johnson knows how to play hurt as he logged 1,000 yards receiving last year playing with a torn groin for most of the season.
"It's very important when you've got your leading receiver hobbled," said Gailey. "It hurts your passing game. To have him close to 100 percent would be very important for us."
CB Williams out a few weeksThe news was not as good for starting left cornerback Aaron Williams. He was injured early in the third quarter when he brought the full weight of Texans' receiver Andre Johnson down on his right leg after a 34-yard pass play. Williams' right leg bent outward at an awkward angle leading to the knee injury.
He underwent an MRI Monday and it sounds as though Williams avoided the worst.
"It wasn't as bad as it could have been. He's going to miss a few weeks, but it's not a season ender," said Gailey.
Williams will be replaced on the outside by Leodis McKelvin, who stepped in Sunday for him.
"I've just been waiting on my moment," said McKelvin. "This is a time that I've been waiting on since the beginning of the season. I've just stayed focused and done what they've told me to do. I'm not happy it came this way, but I'm getting my shot and it's time to step up."
Anderson suffers setbackThere was the hope that DE Mark Anderson would be able to return this Sunday from a knee injury suffered in Week 5 at San Francisco that required surgery, but that's not the case.
"He's had a pretty good setback," said Anderson. "He may need another procedure before it's over with. I'm not sure we'll have him this week."
Gailey said if Anderson's knee requires another procedure it would only sideline him another two or three weeks.
