Bills strong safety Matt Bowen has missed nearly two months with a broken bone in his lower right leg, not a bruise as the team initially reported.
Coach Dick Jauron announced the extent of the injury after practice Thursday, the first time he's referred to it as ``a crack.''
After initially describing the injury as a deep bruise, Jauron had for the past month declined to update Bowen's status amid growing questions about whether Bowen had a setback.
Jauron said the break was not discovered until about a week after Bowen was hurt in Buffalo's pre-season opener at Carolina on Aug. 12.
Bowen returned to practice last month but remains sidelined indefinitely. His status for Sunday's game at Chicago was downgraded to doubtful after he missed practice Thursday.
A seven-year NFL veteran, Bowen signed as a free agent with Buffalo in March and was expected to compete for a starting job. Rookie first-round draft pick Donte Whitner has been the starter since Bowen was hurt.
Starting right guard Chris Villarrial is expected to miss Sunday's game after hurting a tendon in his right ankle in the second quarter of Buffalo's 17-12 win over Minnesota last weekend. He has not practised this week and is listed as doubtful.
Linebacker Takeo Spikes (right hamstring) and tight end Robert Royal (ankle) both practised Thursday but are still listed as questionable.
