PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills tight end Derek Schouman will be out three to six weeks with a knee injury, leaving the team with just two healthy tight ends on its roster.
"He's gonna be out for a while," Bills coach Chan Gailey said Saturday. "... The guy can't get a break. He can't stay on the field and he's not getting enough reps."
Schouman was injured Thursday during the Bills' 34-21 preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
With Michael Matthews and Jonathan Stupar the only healthy tight ends on Buffalo's roster, general manager Buddy Nix is exploring all options when it comes to adding another tight end, Gailey said.
The extent of Schouman's injury was announced one day after fellow tight end Shawn Nelson was suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
"I always hate it when that kind of situation happens," Gailey said. "You hate it for the football team and for the individual involved."
Nelson, who is eligible to practice and play in preseason games, addressed the media for the first time Saturday.
"To my team, my family, my church family, the great city of Buffalo and my fans, I want to apologize," said Nelson, who didn't practice. "It's nothing bad; nothing illegal that happened. There are rumors that it was dealing with some different types of things that myself is not involved in. I'm a guy of character who works hard."
In other injury news, Gailey said linebacker Reggie Torbor will miss at least three weeks after sustaining an undisclosed ailment against the Colts. Kyle Williams was held out of practice, but Gailey said the defensive tackle was banged up from Thursday's game and would be fine.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
