McKelvin was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Thursday to clear room
for the team to add running back Marshawn Lynch to the active roster.
The move was announced as the Bills’ roster exemption
expired for Lynch, who had completed an NFL-imposed three-game suspension for
violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Lynch rejoined the team on
Monday, but the Bills were granted a four-day exemption to ensure he’ll be ready
to play Sunday, when Buffalo (1-2) travels to face Miami (0-3).
McKelvin was considered expendable because there was no
clear timetable on when he could return after breaking his leg in the first half
of a 27-7 loss to New Orleans on Sunday. The 2008 first-round draft pick becomes
the seventh Bills player to be placed on injured reserve this season, and joins
starting right tackle Brad Butler and starting tight end Derek Schouman, who
were placed on the list last week after both sustained knee injuries.
Drayton Florence is set to replace McKelvin as starter,
opposite Terrence McGee. A seven-year veteran who was signed in free agency this
offseason, Florence had just returned last weekend after missing more than a
month with a sprained knee.
Florence won’t be the only new starter on a defense
that’s been depleted by injuries.
Veteran reserve George Wilson and rookie second-round
pick Jairus Byrd are expected to start at the safety positions in place of Donte
Whitner (thumb) and Bryan Scott (high ankle sprain), who were also hurt last
weekend.
Starting middle linebacker Paul Posluszny is still out
after breaking his left arm in Buffalo’s season-opener at New England.
The status of starting left tackle Demetrius Bell (groin)
and reserve defensive lineman John McCargo (calf) is uncertain after both missed
their second straight practice on Thursday.
Starting defensive tackle Kyle Williams practiced on a
limited basis after being held out of Wednesday’s session because of a groin
injury. Rookie tight end Shawn Nelson returned to practice after missing last
weekend’s game with a strained shoulder.