By Tim Graham
Torell Troup is a second-round draft choice entering his third NFL season, yet his career already is in jeopardy.
The injured Buffalo Bills defensive tackle knows this, and discussing it chokes him up. Troup cried at the thought of his dismal situation when talking with Associated Press reporter John Wawrow recently.
Troup told Wawrow he regrets having two spinal discs fused together to repair a fracture and "has been in constant pain for eight months."
Bills head coach Chan Gailey and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt have delivered some ominous words about Troup's reality.
Troup was a high draft choice, but now he's unable to practice and finds himself on a loaded defensive line. Troup is listed among the bottom two of the eight defensive tackles on the depth chart. He can't move up if he spends his practices on a stationary bike.
He played 15 games as a rookie, but only five last season because of injury.
"It's tough," Wannstedt told Wawrow. "We're going to be optimistic that things will turn. But the clock's running. And once we get through training camp and start playing games, it's very difficult for a lineman to get out there and gain confidence without actually doing it live."
It's possible three of the Bills' top four draft choices from 2010 will get cut before the season. Only two players from that class -- running back C.J. Spiller and linebacker Arthur Moats -- appear safe to make the squad.
Troup (41st overall), defensive tackle Alex Carrington (72nd overall) and receiver Marcus Easley (107th overall) all are on the bubble at the moment. So is linebacker Danny Batten (192nd overall).
Already gone are tackle Ed Wang (140th overall), quarterback Levi Brown (209th overall) and tackle Kyle Calloway (216th overall).
