Chad

Rinehart

The Bills can now match any offer Rinehart or Urbik receive on the open market, and will receive draft-pick compensation if they choose not to do so. Urbik made 13 starts at right guard in 2011, while Rinehart appeared in all 16 games in a swing role, making 12 starts.

The 27-year-old Rinehart started 12 games last season, shuffling between left and right guard. Pro Football Focus gave him strong pass-blocking grades, and considered him fairly effective as a run blocker. Rinehart did outplay Kraig Urbik, and should return as the starting right guard with Eric Wood at center and Andy Levitre at left guard. Urbik figures to be the top reserve.

Starter Demetrius Bell is out and backup Chris Hairston is still battling a high ankle sprain. Levitre has been one of the league’s premier guards in the first half of the season, but this is going to be a major mismatch in DeMarcus Ware’s favor. Chad Rinehart will fill in at left guard.

Both are expected to be tendered qualifying offers, but it would make sense for the Bills to lock them up heading into their age-27 seasons. Urbik was Buffalo’s starting right guard in 2011, while Rinehart served in a swing role. Both graded out as top-20 guards by Pro Football Focus.

Urbik earned the starting job at right guard this year after initially being picked up off waivers from the Steelers last season. Rinehart made 12 starts filling in as a ''swingman’’ and is capable of starting on the interior line.

“It’s not good, but it’s going to be long term,” coach Chan Gailey said Monday. “I don’t know if it’s season (ending), but it’s long term.” Rinehart was filling in for Kraig Urbik (ankle), who’s expected back following the Bills’ Week 8 bye.

The Bills offensive line has been just ravaged with injuries this season. They’re now extremely thin at right guard with Urbik’s replacement Colin Brown on I.R., and Rinehart also dealing with a calf injury. The Bills did sign veteran G/T Reggie Wells, who has not played an offensive snap since Week 17 of 2010. The situation is a concern for Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller owners.

The walking-wounded Bills need roster spots, and with Kraig Urbik (ankle) finally due back in Week 9, Rinehart is a logical candidate for the shelf. Rinehart graded out positively as both a run and pass blocker in Pro Football Focus’ ratings, but Urbik’s return should give the Bills a boost, particularly in the run game.

Rinehart was filling in for normal starting right guard, Kraig Urbik (ankle). Sam Young has come on as Rinehart was carted off.

A former third-round flameout in Washington, Rinehart is now on his third NFL team. From left to right, San Diego’s O-Line is expected to read LT Max Starks, LG Rinehart, C Nick Hardwick, RG Jeromey Clary, and RT D.J. Fluker. The rag-tag unit is the primary reason it’s hard to love Chargers in fantasy this year.