We’ve got a good candidate for the NFL’s new short-term injured reserve designation up in Buffalo.
Cornerback Ron Brooks, a fourth-round pick in April, broke a metatarsal bone in his foot during practice last week and had surgery to repair the injury at the end of the week. There are a wide range of recovery times for such an injury, although the 12 weeks that Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks missed this offseason is a pretty good guide for how long Brooks will be on the shelf.
Brooks made the 53-man roster and suffered the injury this season, which satisfies two of the criteria needed for placing him on injured reserve with the designation that he can return to practice after six weeks and return to game action after eight weeks. The Bills website reports that Brooks is considered a candidate for the list, although the Bills will have to wait until Tuesday to avail themselves of that option.
Whether or not they involve Brooks, coach Chan Gailey suggested that they would be making roster moves this week. Gailey said that there’s not much chance that General Manager Buddy Nix will allow the roster to look the same next Sunday as it does on this one, though.
“I think you have been around Buddy and me long enough to know that nothing is ever set,” Gailey said in comments distributed by the team. “We are always looking for different ways to improve our football team. I doubt what you see today will be what shows up next Sunday.”
Terrence McGee is expected back at practice on Monday, which would give the Bills five healthy cornerbacks. If Brooks is moved to injured reserve, that number could go up before meeting the Jets.