Bills LB Spikes misses another practice, questionable

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes missed his second day of practice Thursday with a pulled right hamstring, leaving his status in doubt for Buffalo's game at Miami this weekend.

Spikes remains listed as questionable on the Bills injury report, but coach Dick Jauron held out hope he would be able to play and said after Thursday's practice it will likely be a game-time decision.

Spikes has said he intends to play, and that he doesn't believe the injury will force him out of the lineup for long. Injuries such as his usually take a minimum of one week to heal and if he returns too soon, he risks aggravating the hamstring.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection was hurt during the second series of Buffalo's 19-17 season-opening loss at New England last weekend. It was his first regular season game since tearing his right Achilles' tendon in the third week of the 2005 season.

Veteran Mario Haggan replaced Spikes in the Patriots game and was victimized on New England receiver Troy Brown's touchdown in the first quarter. Rookie Keith Ellison, Buffalo's sixth-round draft pick out of Oregon State, took over for Haggan and finished with eight tackles.

If Spikes can't play, the Bills are expected to move weakside linebacker Angelo Crowell to the strong side, with Ellison taking over the weak side position.