There are conflicting reports on whether Pro Bowl SS Lawyer Milloy will return to the lineup against the New England Patriots on Oct. 3, and the reason is Milloy.

Milloy, who hadn't missed a game in his first eight seasons, broke his right forearm in a preseason game at Indianapolis on Aug. 28 and has sat out Buffalo's first two regular-season contests.

But after ruling himself out of the Patriots game to at least two beat reporters last week, Milloy said on Wednesday, "I never said that."

Milloy would like nothing more than to face his old Patriots teammates but the Bills aren't going to grant him medical clearance until he's fully healed, or at least close to it, and that seems a ways off.

Milloy had surgery to insert a metal plate and eight screws in his forearm and while his cast has been removed, it's only one step in his recovery.

"He's got a good grip but it's one of those injuries that at that position when you're a physical player, you've got to be careful with it," coach Mike Mularkey said. "I know the bye week will help."

"I just want it to heal right. I want to go out there with no hesitation," Milloy said.

Everybody heals differently and the Bills are putting no timetable on Milloy. But the St. Louis Rams said CB Travis Fisher, who has the same injury, would miss 10-12 weeks. If that proves to be the case with Milloy, he won't return until after Halloween, or about seven games total.

His backup, third-year man Coy Wire, has played well against the run but the former Stanford linebacker is still on a learning curve against the pass. Milloy has 80 career pass breakups, including 14 last season, and 19 interceptions.

--QB Drew Bledsoe, who was sacked seven times against Oakland, took a blow to the head on one of his hits. Coach Mike Mularkey believes the blow may have caused Bledsoe to hurry some of his throws, but that "I don't think it makes a huge difference with his decision making."

--FS Izell Reese twisted his knee in the Raiders' loss and left the game briefly but is fine.

--LB Takeo Spikes recorded two interceptions in his Bills' debut against New England in the 2003 season opener, but he has none in the 17 games since.

--WR Eric Moulds, who has 10 catches so far, has made them count. Eight have gone for first downs and two have been for touchdowns.

--DT Tim Anderson, the team's third-round pick out of Ohio State, made his NFL debut at Oakland but didn't have any statistics to report.

INJURY IMPACT
RG Chris Villarrial appears to be OK after leaving the Raiders game early in the third quarter with a left leg contusion that affected a nerve. He returned in the fourth quarter.

"It swelled up and went down into my ankle. It's one of those things that you have to keep the blood flowing," said Villarrial, who is practicing on a limited basis during the bye.

Ross Tucker, who started five games last season, stepped in for Villarrial and got some valuable game reps to solidify his No. 1 backup status.

Meanwhile, RT Mike Williams figures to benefit greatly from the off weekend; the third-year pro is sill bothered by the sprained arch he suffered in training camp and in the Jacksonville game, he hyper-extended a knee. "The guys in the training room are taking good care of me but it's just something I'm going to have to deal with the rest of the season," Williams said of his sore arch.

Copyright (C) 2004 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.