Bills' Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes will miss the rest of the season with a torn right Achilles' tendon. The Bills announced the news Monday a day after Spikes was hurt in a 24-16 loss to Atlanta. The injury is a significant blow to a veteran defense being counted on to relieve the pressure on first-year starting quarterback J.P. Losman. Angelo Crowell will replace Spikes. Buffalo's defense has struggled even with Spikes healthy, allowing a combined 721 yards in its last two games, including a 19-3 loss at Tampa Bay on Sept. 18. Spikes was hurt in the second quarter pressuring quarterback Michael Vick. It's unclear what happened on the play, but Spikes was left lying face down on the field a few feet in front of Vick, who had overthrown receiver Roddy White.

Bills safety Lawyer Milloy practiced Friday, but remains questionable for Buffalo's game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday due to a thumb injury. Milloy, who will be a game-time decision, practiced for the first time this week after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right thumb suffered in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. If he does play, Milloy will have to wear padding over a cast protecting the injury. "I thought he did pretty well and was pretty active," coach Mike Mularkey said after practice. If Milloy can't go, the Bills would rotate backups Rashad Baker and Coy Wire at strong safety. Wire is in his fourth year, while Baker was an undrafted rookie last season.