LB Torbor added to Bills' growing list of injuries

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Bills are dealing with several injuries that are testing their roster depth just a couple of weeks into the preseason.

Linebacker Reggie Torbor, who started seven games last season and made 41 tackles, was placed on injured reserve Thursday because of a shoulder injury.

Receivers Roscoe Parrish (left calf), Donald Jones (head) and Naaman Roosevelt (right ankle), and linebackers Arthur Moats (leg) and Chris Kelsay (eye surgery) also are all sidelined.

Then there's rookie defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, who missed Thursday's practice after tweaking an already injured ankle sustained during the first week of training camp. He was seen walking with the aid of crutches following Wednesday's practice, and said Thursday that he was actually kicked in the calf during Wednesday's practice.

"I'm fine," the third overall pick said about the original ankle injury. "It's just precautionary. I just want to take it easy, and I don't want to take any chances. I just want to relax, do some treatment and ice it up. I'm just being safe."

Dareus didn't rule himself out of Buffalo's preseason game against Jacksonville on Saturday, and coach Chan Gailey also said the rookie may be able to play.

"I think he's going to be fine," Gailey said. "(The calf's) more bruised than anything."

Buffalo did get a bit of a boost with the return of linebacker Shawne Merriman on Thursday. Merriman hadn't practiced all week after missing the Bills' second preseason game against Denver on Saturday because of a sore leg and tightness in his groin.

However, he'll still likely miss the Jaguars game.

"I always want to play. But, at the same time, I have to think of what's in the best interest for the team," he said. "You don't want to be put in a position to jeopardize anything."

With the linebacker group taking a hit, the Bills agreed to terms with free agent Kirk Morrison on Wednesday. Merriman and Morrison trained together for several weeks during the offseason, and Merriman had stayed in contact with Morrison the past couple of weeks.

"I know he's been working, and I know he's in great shape," Merriman said. "He's a veteran, and a guy that's only missed one start. So, he's pretty much always on the field and can always be a contribution to us. Bottom line, I want to win and I think we all want to win."

Along with staying healthy, winning has also been a problem for the Bills this summer. Buffalo is 0-2 in the preseason, and has allowed 34 points.

Gailey is hoping to see some improvement against the Jaguars (1-1), as he plans to play his regulars past the first half.

"These reps are big for all of the young players, and they're big for our team," he said. "We're going to play the longest our starters have played, and will play, before we get to the first ball game."

Buffalo's season opener is Sept. 11 at Kansas City.