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OG Chris Villarrial is out indefinitely with what the club is calling a tendon injury in his right ankle, putting second-year man Duke Preston into the lineup at right guard. Villarrial is listed as doubtful for the Bears but he's not expected to make any drastic strides in time to play on Sunday. He's scheduled for an update exam next Tuesday.
With one previous career start, last season as a rookie, Preston is the most experienced backup offensive lineman on the roster. The Bills released several veterans at the roster cut to 53, electing to keep three late-round draft picks: Terrance Pennington, Aaron Merz and Brad Butler. The wisdom of going that young is now being tested.
Coach Dick Jauron said it's not likely more experience would be brought in while Villarrial recuperates.
"Duke doesn't have a lot of experience, but that is the way we went," Jauron said. "We needed to invest in that area with some youth and develop them. Of course we don't want anybody to get hurt. If Chris can't go, then we'll probably stay with what we have.
"As a professional sports team, we always explore every option and they change on a daily basis because you never know what's going to happen around you or as a team. (But) we like our guys and they're working hard and developing, but they are young. Duke did a pretty good job. It was going to be a lot of hard work in there no matter who was in there."
Preston, who replaced Villarrial in the second quarter against Minnesota, was beaten cleanly for one sack by Kevin Williams, then settled down and performed well.
PLAYER NOTES
--LB Takeo Spikes, who has missed three games nursing a hamstring pull, practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday. He was on schedule to play last week against Minnesota but may have suffered a setback late last week. He and the team aren't commenting. He remains a game-time decision for this week's game at Chicago.
--SS Matt Bowen, who suffered a lower leg injury in the Bills' first preseason game, did not practice and remains questionable.
--OL Chris Villarrial has been diagnosed with a tendon injury in his right ankle and is doubtful for Sunday.
--TE Robert Royal injured his ankle against Minnesota and appeared Wednesday on the injury report as questionable. He did not practice.
--QB J.P. Losman has led the Bills to a score on seven of his 12 career opening-game drives. He has throw TD passes to six different receivers in two seasons.
--RB Willis McGahee, who leads the NFL with 389 yards rushing, hasn't been that involved in the passing game yet. He has six catches for 37 yards.
GAME PLAN
Run and stop the run. Control the clock. Win the turnover battle. Score in the red zone. Get off the field on third down. Make at least one big play on special teams. Don't get cute. Block out the crowd noise. If the Bills (2-2) accomplish all of these things, they MIGHT make it close against the Bears (4-0), who right now can make a nice argument for being the best team in the NFL. Making smart decisions and protecting the ball are even more important keys for QB J.P. Losman against a Chicago defense that has collected 15 sacks, 10 takeaways and has allowed the fewest points in the league at 29. Defending NFC champ Seattle was steamrolled 37-6 last Sunday at Solider Field but didn't have the running game to keep things manageable without an injured Shaun Alexander. The Bills do have the NFL's leading rusher in Willis McGahee and it's vital that coordinator Steve Fairchild use him. Staying patient with the run, as he did a week ago against Minnesota, has been a key to Buffalo's early success. What Buffalo can't afford is to keep putting the ball into the red-hot hands of Chicago QB Rex Grossman, who has the arm to attack deep when he wants, and has eight TDs against only three interceptions. Buffalo's defense has gone three consecutive games without allowing 100 yards rushing, but Miami and Minnesota made it easy with 20 attempts or fewer. It's not likely the Bears and RB Thomas Jones will be so kind and Buffalo's defense, featuring five rookie regulars, can't wilt under the early pressure or the game could get out of hand quickly.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Bills CB Nate Clements, Buffalo's top cover man, vs. Bears WR Bernard Berrian, who is averaging 21.1 yards per catch and has a team-high three TDs.
--Bills DTs Kyle Williams and Tim Anderson, who play the nose, vs. Bears center Olin Kreutz, one of the NFL's best. The Bills ability to stop the run begins here.
--Bills RG Duke Preston, who is expected to make just his second career start for an injured Chris Villarrial, vs. Bears DT Tommie Harris, who is tied for the NFL lead with five sacks, already a single-season career high for him.
--Bills RB Willis McGahee, who leads the league in rushing, vs. Bears MLB Brian Urlacher, who has a bust waiting in Canton. Chicago is allowing just 80.8 yards rushing per game.
--Bills QB J.P. Losman, who has thrown just one interception, vs. Bears' secondary, one of the deepest in football led by Pro Bowlers Nathan Vasher and Mike Brown.
INJURY IMPACT
Losing RG Chris Villarrial, one of the team's most dependable blockers, hurts Buffalo's pass protection the most. Pressure up the middle could prevent J.P. Losman from setting up and going through his read progression if he's forced to leave the pocket. Depending on how it's going with second-year man Duke Preston, the Bills could do more rollouts and shotgun formation to counter the Bears' pressure, but protecting the football then becomes a concern.
The Bills also have to hope TE Robert Royal (ankle) comes around by Sunday. He's been the lone pass catching threat at tight end to this point (four catches, 50 yards). If he can't go, second-year pro Kevin Everett would make his first start, and he's not as good a run blocker.
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