by Sports Xchange

PLAYER NOTES

--CB Rashean Mathis is out of the Buffalo game with a groin injury.

--LB Justin Durant suffered a mild concussion last week and hasn't been cleared by the doctors to return.

--S Gerald Alexander, who missed last week's game with a shoulder injury, missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday.

--OL Mo Williams didn't practice Thursday because he was ill.

--S Reggie Nelson will likely move to cornerback to replace Rashean Mathis although he struggled at the position against Tennessee when Mathis broke his left index finger.

--S Brian Russell is likely to start if Gerald Alexander can't go. Alexander was replaced last week by Sean Considine but if Reggie Nelson moves to cornerback, they'll need another safety.

--LB Russell Allen could start if Justin Durant is sidelined with a head injury.

GAME PLAN: Look for the Jaguars to run the ball against Jets. Maurice Jones-Drew got just eight carries against the Titans and he still ran for 177 yards, including runs of 80 and 79 yards. So the idea was to get the ball in his hands against the Chiefs and he carried 29 times for 97 yards. He gained 123 yards in 24 carries against the Jets. Look for the same strategy against the Bills. They'll want to pound Jones-Drew against a Bills' rush defense ranked worst in the league.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jaguars CBs Reggie Nelson and Derek Cox vs. Bills WRs Lee Evans and Terrell Owens. The Bills' passing game hasn't been effective this year even with Evans and Owens but since Rashean Mathis is sidelined, the Bills are likely to try to throw the ball.

Jaguars RG Uche Nwaneri vs. Bills LDT Marcus Stroud. Stroud is a former Jaguar who was traded away two years ago so he'll be motivated to have a big game and could give Nwaneri problems.

INJURY IMPACT: The Jaguars have only three players on the injury report, but two of them are starters in the secondary -- cornerback Rashean Mathis, who is out with a groin injury, and safety Gerald Alexander, who didn't practice with a shoulder injury. That'll mean some shifting with Reggie Nelson probably going to corner and Brian Russell probably going to safety. And linebacker Justin Durant didn't practice with a head injury Wednesday and his condition will be updated later in the week.