Donald

Jones

Jones also tied Stevie Johnson for the team lead with 10 targets. Ryan Fitzpatrick locked on to Johnson and David Nelson early, but Jones played a big role in the second-half comeback. Jones is worth a look on the waiver wire this week, but his production will be inconsistent.

He hobbled off the field before heading to the locker room. He reeled in two catches for 25 yards before going down. The fact that he’s been declared out as opposed to questionable or doubtful suggests he’s dealing with more than just a simple spain. David Nelson has already seen an increase in looks in his absence.

Jones’ absence thrusts David Nelson into the starting lineup opposite Stevie Johnson, and leaves Naaman Roosevelt as the No. 3 wideout in Buffalo’s injury-riddled receiver corps. Nelson was quiet after Jones went down Sunday, but should see the biggest boost in targets. Roosevelt is an intriguing flier after hauling in five passes for 41 yards against the Eagles, but is only three weeks removed from the practice squad. Johnson and Nelson are the only two Bills pass catchers worth starting in fantasy leagues right now.

According to WGR 550 Buffalo’s Joe Buscaglia, Jones “looked crushed.” At the very least, it would appear he’s suffered a high-ankle sprain. Don’t be counting on good news when HC Chan Gailey updates Jones’ status at his Monday press conference. David Nelson was able to haul in just one catch for six yards in Jones’ absence Sunday. Number-five WR Naaman Roosevelt fared much better, notching five catches for 41 yards after Jones’ departure.

Jones likely has a high-ankle sprain at a minimum. That would leave Naaman Roosevelt as the Bills’ No. 3 receiver going forward as both Marcus Easley and Roscoe Parrish are done for the season. We should know more on Jones’ status by this afternoon.

The initial timetable was 4-6 weeks, Jones says he won’t need a full month and a half to return. “We don’t think it’ll be six weeks at all,” he said. “I’m definitely a lot better. Things are moving a lot faster than expected.” Jones has been spelled by a combo of David Nelson and Naaman Roosevelt outside. The Bills have a Week 7 bye. Perhaps Jones will come back for Week 9.

As one of the weaker No. 2 receivers in the NFL, Jones is hardly entrenched. While the Bills remain high on size/speed prospect Marcus Easley, beat writer Joe Buscaglia believes it’s a “stretch” to expect him to compete for the starting job after missing two seasons due to injuries. David Nelson will work out of the slot again this season.

According to coach Chan Gailey, Jones is “still not 100 percent,” but may be active against the Jets. Jones last played in Week 5. Even if Jones is able to return, he won’t be a fantasy option against the Jets’ seventh-ranked pass defense as he works his way back into game shape.

The Bills are intrigued by what little they’ve seen of 2010 fourth-rounder Marcus Easley, but “we don’t know what we’ve got,” said Nix. "... He’s a really big, strong, guy, he’s 225 pounds who can run. He ran a 4.40. He can run after the catch, we haven’t had that much.” Easley’s heart condition has been “completely solved,” but Nix doesn’t want to enter the 2012 season with just Easley, David Nelson, and Donald Jones behind Johnson.

Jones was targeted a club-high 10 times, but never hooked up with Ryan Fitzpatrick deep. A maddeningly inconsistent fantasy commodity, Jones now has a one-catch and a six-catch game since returning from his high ankle sprain two weeks ago. He won’t be a recommended WR3 when the Bills visit the Dolphins in Week 11.