BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -Starting free safety Ko Simpson’s season is over after the Buffalo Bills placed him on injured reserve Tuesday.
The move comes a day after had the second-year player had surgery to repair a broken left ankle. Simpson was hurt in the first quarter of Sunday’s 15-14 season-opening loss to Denver when his legs were cut out from beneath him by teammate Jason Webster as the two were attempting to tackle Broncos receiver Javon Walker.
Buffalo’s fourth-round pick in the 2006 draft, Simpson started 15 games last season, and was a member of the NFL’s youngest safety tandem, playing alongside rookie first-round pick Donte Whitner.
His injury was one of four sustained by Bills players in the game, the most severe by Kevin Everett. The reserve tight end sustained a severe spinal cord injury while making a tackle on the second half-opening kickoff and was carted off the field in an ambulance.
Everett showed signs of voluntary movement when he was partially awakened, and there are encouraging signs that he will be able to walk again.
The Bills also lost Webster, who is out indefinitely after having surgery Monday to repair a broken forearm. Linebacker Coy Wire is also out indefinitely after spraining his knee. Wire was starting in place of Keith Ellison, who’s out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain.
That leaves Buffalo’s defense depleted as the team prepares to play at Pittsburgh on Sunday.
The Bills also waived defensive end Eric Powell on Tuesday, a likely sign that they will sign a player at that position this week. Powell was the only active reserve defensive end on the Bills roster behind starters Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay.
Because Ryan Denney is out indefinitely because of a broken foot and Anthony Hargrove is serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, the Bills are depleted at defensive end.
Add A Comment