By Tim Graham and Jay Skurski
The Buffalo News has confirmed reports that Buffalo Bills receiver David Nelson is out for the year with a torn knee ligament, and running back Fred Jackson will miss at least this week -- and perhaps a few more -- with a knee injury.
Nelson tore his right ACL in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the New York Jets at the Meadowlands.
Nelson was the Bills' second-leading receiver last year with 61 catches, 658 yards and five touchdowns. There was a big drop in production from Nelson to Buffalo's third-leading wide receiver. That was part-time quarterback Brad Smith, who caught 23 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown.
Expect an increased role for rookie receiver T.J. Graham, who was a healthy scratch against the Jets.
Jackson hurt his right knee in the second quarter on a 7-yard run. He was tackled by Jets safety LaRon Landry. The hit looked troubling enough that the crowd gasped as Jackson fell awkwardly to the turf.
Jackson's injury was believed to be a sprained LCL. He will be held out of Sunday's home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs and might miss at least four weeks even if the injury isn't deemed serious.
