ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo defensive end Aaron Schobel missed practice Tuesday and will be one of numerous Bills regulars using the bye week to recuperate from nagging injuries.
Schobel said he has a strained ligament in his left foot and doesn't expect to practice much, if it all, during the break. The Bills (4-1) are off to their best start in 16 years and host San Diego (2-3) on Oct. 19.
The Bills' top pass rusher was hurt in a 31-14 win at St. Louis on Sept. 28. He played most of the game against Arizona last weekend, but eventually sat out part of the fourth quarter after the score got out of hand in a 41-17 loss.
Quarterback Trent Edwards was absent from practice -- the first of Buffalo's three this week -- after he was sent home by the team to continue recovering from a concussion he sustained three plays into the game against Arizona. Reserve defensive tackle John McCargo was also absent after being excused for personal reasons.
Among the Bills players present but not taking part in practice during the 15-minute period open to reporters were cornerback Terrence McGee, who missed last weekend's game with a sprained knee, safety Ko Simpson, who hurt his hamstring against Arizona, defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (shoulder), defensive end Chris Kelsay, cornerback Ashton Youboty and center Melvin Fowler.
Also missing practice was receiver Roscoe Parrish, who's missed two games since having surgery to repair ligament damage in his right thumb. Initially expected to miss up to four weeks, Parrish said it's possible he could return to practice next week.
"Right now, I'm just taking it day by day and everything's been pretty good," Parrish said. "This bye week is helping me out a lot, so that's a good thing right there."
Coach Dick Jauron has declined to discuss the status of the team's injured players this week, in part because the Bills are not required to provide an injury report during a bye week. The Bills will take a three-day weekend before returning for practice on Monday.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
