Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore was set to take a big leap in his second season as one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL. His ascent now will have to wait awhile.
Coach Doug Marrone told reporters Monday morning that Gilmore will be out six to eight weeks after fracturing a bone in his wrist. The fracture will require surgery.
It's a crushing blow for new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. The former New York Jets coordinator was counting on Gilmore to cover the opposing team's best receiver, as Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis once did in New York. This injury will limit Pettine's creativity and force a rough-looking starting cornerback group to start the season.
Leodis McKelvin and Crezdon Butler, the Bills' likely starters, have a date with Tom Brady in Week 1. The Bills don't know who their starting quarterback is, either. This is not how you want to start a season.
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