Buffalo Bills starting middle linebacker Terrel Bernard out indefinitely with pectoral injury

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills starting middle linebacker Terrel Bernard is out indefinitely after hurting a pectoral muscle, with coach Sean McDermott on Friday not ruling out placing the starter on the short-term injured reserve list.

McDermott said the team is still having internal discussions on whether to place Bernard on IR, and making him eligible to return after missing a minimum four games. Bernard didn’t return after being hurt while making a tackle in the first quarter a 31-10 win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.

His injury leaves Buffalo without its two starting linebackers, with Matt Milano out until at least December with a torn left biceps.

The Bills are already thin in experience at linebacker. Second-year player Dorian Williams is starting in place of Milano, while third-year player Baylon Spector stepped in to replace Bernard. The primary backups are veteran free-agent addition Nicholas Morrow and undrafted rookie free agent Joe Andreessen, with no linebackers currently on the team’s practice squad.

McDermott also provided an update on nickel cornerback Taron Johnson, saying the starter is listed week to week and not expected to be placed on short-term IR. Johnson is sidelined after hurting his right forearm in Buffalo’s season-opening 34-28 win against Arizona on Sunday.