ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Starting defensive tackle Kyle Williams already has been ruled out from the Buffalo Bills' next game, which isn't for another 10 days. And there's no telling when -- or if -- his nagging left foot injury will heal this season.
Coach Chan Gailey provided few definitive answers in updating Williams' status Wednesday following the Bills' final practice before entering their bye weekend.
Gailey said Williams will miss at least the next game, and perhaps another before having his foot re-examined. Without disclosing the exact nature of the injury, Gailey noted it's one that will bother the player for the rest of the season.
"I don't know if he'll be 100 percent for the whole year. I don't know if he'll make that," Gailey said.
The Bills (4-2) are off until "hosting" the Washington Redskins in their annual Toronto game Oct. 30.
Williams has been bothered by the injury for much of this season and aggravated it during a 31-24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks ago. He then didn't play in a 27-24 loss to the New York Giants last weekend.
The injury is so severe, trainers had previously cut out holes in the back of Williams' cleats to alleviate the pressure.
Williams declined comment Wednesday as he walked around the Bills' facility wearing a protective boot on his left foot.
Williams is coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance and has been the defense's most consistent player since earning a starting job as a rookie in 2006. Prior to this season, he had missed just two games.
Notes: Starting LBs Shawne Merriman (right Achilles tendon) and Nick Barnett (right ankle) were held out of practice Wednesday. Merriman didn't play last weekend, but he's confident he'll be back next week. ... Veteran LB Chris Kelsay took the field for the first time since missing two games with a left calf injury. Kelsay is confident he'll return to play next week, too. ... Donald Jones, who took over Buffalo's No. 2 receiver role, is expected to miss at least one more game since spraining his left ankle two weeks ago. "There's no set target date yet," Jones said. "It's moving a lot faster than expected, but they don't want to rush it and have me come back too fast."
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
