Thoughts on Roscoe Parrish's injury

The Buffalo Bills took a hit to their receiving corps Tuesday. Veteran receiver and return specialist Roscoe Parrish will be out for the remainder of the 2011 season with an ankle injury, a league source tells ESPN.com's AFC East blog. Parrish was hurt in the second quarter of a 38-35 win over Oakland last weekend. He stumbled awkwardly after making a 16-yard catch, and remained in the game for the next play before collapsing on the sideline. Noted for his dynamic speed, Parrish was being counted on to play in the slot, where he showed signs of flourishing last season. He had a career-best 400 yards receiving and two touchdowns in eight games before sustaining a season-ending broken wrist injury.

• This isn't a big surprise as Parrish was carted off the field Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. Things looked grim from the start. But Bills coach Chan Gailey said he was holding out hope Parrish would be able to return at some point this season.

• More than anything, this hurts the team's depth. The Bills run a lot of three- and four-receiver sets. So they need healthy players. Parrish only had one reception for 16 yards in two games. But he would have received more opportunities in the event another receiver went down. Starting receiver Steve Johnson also is dealing with a groin injury. He expects to play Sunday against New England. But Buffalo cannot afford more injuries at an important position for the Bills.

• This is the second straight year Parrish suffered a significant injury. He missed the second half of 2010 with a wrist injury. He's played 10 games the past two seasons.

• The Bills also will need to add help for punt returns. Parrish returned five punts this year for 46 yards. His longest punt return was for 28 yards.

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(espn.com)