Bills LB Posluszny, S Whitner Return to Practice, May Start Sunday

The Bills defense appears to be coming back together according to BuffaloBills.com now that linebacker Paul Posluszny and safety Donte Whitner practiced fully on Thursday.

Posluszny suffered a broken forearm in the season opener on Sept. 14 and Whitner broke his thumb against the Saints on Sept. 27. After losing five starters from the opening day defensive unit, Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is happy to see Whitner and Posluszny return:

"That was the only time I smiled was (Tuesday) night after we worked them out and they told me they were going to be able to practice and hopefully be able to play and contribute on Sunday," said Fewell.

For Fewell Posluszny’s return Sunday, if it happens, would represent a huge boost to Buffalo’s front seven. The Bills just shifted defensive co-captain Kawika Mitchell to middle linebacker last week to fill the void left by Posluszny, only to lose Mitchell to a season-ending knee injury that required surgery.

Fewell was very encouraged by Posluszny’s ability to step right back in and not miss a beat running the defense.

"He looked good," said Fewell still smiling. "It was good to see him in there. Maybe I was just happy to see the guy. He had an interception in practice. He got the front set and got everybody calmed down. He took command of the defense so it was really, really good to see him back there."

After a rough 1-4 start to the season, this may be just what the Bills need to get back in the playoffs picture to respectability.