Derek

Schouman

A 2009 knee injury has derailed Schouman’s career after he started 15 games for the Bills in 2008. He was out of the league last season. A Henderson State star back in 2005-06, Clark played for the California Football Alliance’s National City Bears last season. Needless to say, he’s the longest of long shots.

Shouman is still recovering from a torn meniscus suffered early last season. Shawn Nelson is the favorite to start this year for Buffalo.

Cieslak is probably the favorite. Coordinator Steve Fairchild, a Mike Martz disciple, prefers H-backs and blockers to traditional pass-catching TEs.

Schouman, a soft-handed tight end from Boise State, is a candidate to play H-back in coordinator Steve Fairchild’s offense. He’ll be competing with holdovers Ryan Neufeld and Brad Cieslak for the starting position.

A rookie H-back from Boise State, Schouman began the year on the practice squad before being elevated in Week 7 and catching a total of three passes for 19 yards. He could be back to contribute as a role player next season.

The Week 10 status for all three players is unknown. The beat up Bills defense would be in rough shape without DiGiorgio, but his absence would be good news for Dolphins RB Jesse Chatman.

Fine averaged just 8.6 YPC as a Kansas senior two years ago and 9.4 in his first pro season, so he doesn’t have much of a track record in the vertical passing game. Though Derek Schouman is considered the favorite to start, Fine could win the job with a strong camp.

The starting tight end was carted off the field with announcers speculating that it could be a season-ending injury. Schouman was leading the team with six catches for 62 yards before the injury.

Initial tests revealed no torn ligaments, which is a pleasant surprise after his leg bent backwards and underneath his body on a tackle. It’s believed that Schouman has a sprain that could keep him out for a few weeks, which means rookie Shawn Nelson will fill in.

Schouman expressed initial optimism on Monday, but the MRI must have shown a torn ligament. The Bills’ starter was on his way to a career game when he had his leg bent underneath his body in Week 2. Rookie Shawn Nelson will see a much larger role with Schouman out and Derek Fine battling a hamstring injury.