"Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said the operation to repair Mario Williams' torn pectoral muscle Friday went well and that Williams, out for the season after being injured in the Oakland game, is in good spirits.

"That's good news for him for the long term," Phillips said. "(But) short-term, we've got to get ready to play. There were certain things that we would run with Mario. He was going to rush no matter what. Now we have some versatility (in) that (opponents) won't know who's going to rush and who isn't. That helps a little bit, but we'd rather have Mario."

Rookie Brooks Reed will start in Williams' place at outside linebacker.

"That's why we drafted him," Phillips said."