"Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman says he will "absolutely" be able to get back on the field when the Bills return from their bye week.

"We definitely know what we're dealing with," Merriman said today about his injured Achilles, which flared up in practice last Thursday and kept him out of Sunday's loss to the Giants. "It wasn't something that was really unexpected to happen. It just didn't completely get healthy enough in time for the game. I'll be ready after the bye week."

Bills coach Chan Gailey wasn't as quick to confirm that, though. Gailey was asked about the health of both his starting outside linebackers and their availability for the Bills' game with Washington on Oct. 30 (fellow starter Chris Kelsay has missed the past two games with a strained calf)."