ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Marcus Stroud was ruled out of Sunday's game because of a knee injury, meaning the NFL's worst run defense could be without both starting defensive tackles against Jacksonville.
Kyle Williams has missed three games because of a knee injury, and was listed as questionable by interim head coach Perry Fewell on Friday. Williams has practiced sparingly this weekend.
The Bills (3-6) have only two other defensive tackles on their roster, reserves Spencer Johnson and John McCargo.
Their defense is allowing an NFL-worst 173 yards rushing this season. Buffalo prepares to face the run-happy Jaguars led by Maurice Jones-Drew, who's tied for fourth in the league with 860 yards rushing and has scored seven of his 12 touchdowns in the past four games.
Stroud was hurt in a 41-17 loss at Tennessee last weekend, and has not practiced this week. Except to refer to Stroud as day to day, Fewell wouldn't divulge the nature of the injury.
While strong safety Donte Whitner is set to return after missing three games with an ankle injury, the Bills' banged-up defense could be down another regular with rookie safety Jairus Byrd listed as questionable because of a nagging groin injury. A second-round draft pick out of Oregon, Byrd has a league-leading eight interceptions to tie the Bills' rookie single-season record. He also has a five-game interception streak. Full story
Feds: Steelers great Blount owes IRS $631,000
PITTSBURGH -- Federal attorneys want a judge to declare that Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Mel Blount owes more than $631,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties.
The Internal Revenue Service filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh in September giving Blount 60 days to respond. Blount hasn't filed a response to the lawsuit, and the U.S. attorney's office in Pittsburgh on Thursday asked a judge to rule against him.
The IRS complaint says Blount owes the money for the years 1994 to 2006.
Court records don't list an attorney for Blount and he has not responded to requests for comment left at a youth home near Pittsburgh that bears his name.
Seahawks' Wilson unlikely to play vs. Vikings
RENTON, Wash. -- Josh Wilson is unlikely to play Sunday at Minnesota because of a concussion, leaving the Seattle Seahawks without one of their starting cornerback against Brett Favre and the high-flying Vikings.
Seattle coach Jim Mora said after Wilson missed his third consecutive practice that there is only a slight chance he will play. Last weekend he banged his head into the leg of Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells and then the turf.
Wilson returned to finish the game before being diagnosed with the concussion.
Marcus Trufant, the other starting cornerback, says he was also "dinged" last weekend. He also returned to finish the game, then was diagnosed with a concussion.
Bills put LB Ellison on injured reserve
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills linebacker Keith Ellison's season is over after he was placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury.
The move was announced as the Bills prepare to play Jacksonville on Sunday.
Interim coach Perry Fewell was not available for comment, and had not mentioned the move was imminent when he issued the team's injury report following practice.
Jets' Leonhard questionable, Gholston out
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard is questionable for the team's game at New England after being limited in practice with a broken right thumb.
Leonhard, injured in last Sunday's loss to Jacksonville, returned to practice and participated in individual drills as well as some team activities while wearing a cast on his hand.
"It was better than I thought it would be," Leonhard said of practicing with the cast. "If I wasn't able to do that today, it would have been very hard to play on Sunday."
Coach Rex Ryan said he would consult with Leonhard and the team's trainers to see how he feels leading up to the game Sunday.
Bears' Wolfe out for season with kidney injury
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears placed backup running back Garrett Wolfe on injured reserve, ending his season.
The team listed a kidney injury for Wolfe, who told the Chicago Tribune in a text message that he suffered a lacerated kidney on the opening kickoff of a game against Arizona on Nov. 8.
The Bears elevated running back Kahlil Bell from the practice squad to replace Wolfe.
