Veteran free agent linebacker Reggie Torbor, 29, who played a backup role in Miami the past two seasons, was on track to winning a starting job with the Bills until suffering an undisclosed injury in last week's preseason win over Indianapolis. Torbor, who was No. 1 on the depth chart at weak outside linebacker ahead of Aaron Maybin, Buffalo's 2009 first-round pick, will miss at least three weeks, coach Chan Gailey said. That makes his status for the regular season opener Sept. 12 against Miami questionable. While the door is open for Maybin, Torbor's experience in the 3-4 scheme and his muscle -- he's a legitimate 250 pounds while Maybin is not -- will be welcomed upon his return. Torbor's bulk makes him much more effective at the point of attack. "We kind of knew coming in what he would bring to the table. He's helped us," said Bills defensive coordinator George Edwards, Torbor's position coach with the Dolphins. Maybin has been replacing Torbor in Buffalo's nickel package. Torbor's injury will give more run-down reps to Chris Ellis, who has been backing up Chris Kelsay on the strong side.

PLAYER NOTES

-- TE Andrew George signed with Buffalo. Signed by Carolina as an undrafted free agent, he had his contract terminated by the Panthers in June. The 6-5 251-pound tight end finished his BYU career with 70 catches for 827 yards and 11 scores.

-- TE Michael Matthews was waived/injured by the Bills.

-- TE J.P. Foschi signed with the Bills. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Foschi played for the Bengals in 2009 and had career-high totals of 27 receptions for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He has played in 33 career games with Oakland, Kansas City and the Jets.

--TE Shawn Nelson will miss the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He'll be eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 4.

--RB Marshawn Lynch, who injured his ankle Aug. 13 in a preseason game against Washington, is running better on his own and could return to practice this week. If all goes well, he could play in Saturday's third practice game against Cincinnati.

-- WR James Hardy was back at practice for the first time in 15 days on Wednesday. Hardy was limited in the practice but coach Chan Gailey said he would do more Thursday.

--WR David Nelson, who suffered a minor Achilles' injury last week, is running on his own. He could return to practice this week.

--TE Derek Schouman, whose season was cut short last season by a major knee injury, will miss 3-6 weeks after he suffered yet another knee injury in last Thursday's win over Indianapolis.

--LB Reggie Torbor, who was on track to win the starting weak-side linebacker job, will miss at least three weeks with an undisclosed injury, coach Chan Gailey announced. Torbor was hurt in a preseason win over the Colts.

--DT Kyle Williams was held out of practice for rest and bodily recovery after the Colts game.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK
Joique Bell vs. Chad Simpson for the No. 4 running back job -- Bell, a free agent rookie, had a very nice game against the Colts' backups, rushing 11 times for 80 yards and a 2-yard TD. Simpson had eight carries for eight yards. Buffalo's first cuts come after Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS
Trent Edwards vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm for the starting QB job -- Edwards has earned both preseason starts so far and is expected to start Saturday's game at home against Cincinnati. If so, then this really wasn't an open competition because neither Fitzpatrick nor Brohm had time with the first unit.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
WR Chad Jackson -- The 2006 second-round pick of the New England Patriots is not just making a serious bid to revive his career, he could wind up starting for the Bills alongside Lee Evans. In Buffalo's preseason win over Indianapolis, Jackson caught a team-leading five passes for 52 yards, including a pretty grab along the right sideline from Brian Brohm that set up a field goal. The 6-1, 223-pounder has consistently made big plays all camp while Steve Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter when camp opened, has been less impressive.

ROOKIE REPORT
C.J. Spiller lived up to his billing as the team's No. 1 pick, rushing for 54 yards on 10 carries and scoring on a strong 31-yard run in the team's preseason win over Indianapolis. ... NT Torell Troup continues to have a strong camp. He's been very good at the point of attack and in pursuit of the ball.

INJURY REPORT
Safety Jairus Byrd's electrifying rookie season was cut short by lingering problems with his groin. Now that injury has resurfaced, threatening to sideline the team's interception leader past the regular season opener on Sept. 12 vs. Miami. Byrd underwent surgery last week on his bothersome groin, the third procedure he's undergone in 13 months. "It looks like he's going to be out for a while," Coach Chan Gailey said. "We're hoping first game, but it may be not." George Wilson has moved into Byrd's starting free safety spot.

On a positive note, offensive linemen Eric Wood and Demetrius Bell, who are being eased back into action after long off-season recoveries from serious leg and knee injuries, came out of the Colts' preseason game in good shape. Each is expected to see more playing time this Saturday against Cincinnati at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Veteran linebacker Paul Posluszny, who had groin surgery two weeks before camp opened, also saw his first action, playing the first defensive serious against the Colts. Rookie WR David Nelson (Achilles) could return this week, along with RB Marshawn Lynch (ankle).

-- WR Marcus Easley (knee) was placed on injured reserve and will miss his rookie season.

-- LB Danny Batten (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve.

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