News & Info/Headlines

Listed as questionable on Wednesday, the former University of Tennessee star made a point to inform his teammates that the injury isn't going to prevent him from playing when the team hosts Philadelphia on Sunday.

"I know that there's been a lot of talk about whether he'll play, and I can tell you what he told me and told the team this morning that he's planning on playing," head coach Gregg Williams said. "He wanted to make sure they knew, and he is a warrior."

Henry was held out of practice on Wednesday, watching from the sideline in his jersey and sweatpants.

He was hurt when he was driven into the ground and had the ball jam into his chest early in the second quarter of Sunday's loss at Miami. After a few more plays, Henry pulled himself out of the game, saying the pain was too unbearable.

"He was significantly better on Monday, he was better on Tuesday and he's better today in the workouts, which he started first thing this morning," Williams said.

The Bills need Henry considering the status of their backfield.

Backup Sammy Morris will miss at least two weeks after having surgery on Monday to repair a sports hernia. Backup fullback Philip Crosby is listed as doubtful with a cracked bone in his lower leg. Crosby continued to play with the injury against Miami despite being hurt in the first half.

The injuries leave the Bills with one healthy tailback, third-stringer Joe Burns, a second-year player, who had six carries for 22 yards after replacing Henry last weekend.

Burns played with Buffalo's starting unit in practice and was backed up by practice squad-member Ken Simonton. The Bills also signed running back Nick Maddox to their practice squad, making room by cutting receiver Jerel Myers.

Williams said Simonton would be activated if Henry isn't able to play.

The Bills' running game was struggling even before Henry was hurt. Buffalo ranks last in the NFL in averaging 2.4 yards per attempts, and 31st in averaging 63.7 yards rushing per game.

Henry, who finished fifth in the NFL with 1,438 yards rushing last season, leads the Bills with five touchdowns but has managed just 122 yards rushing.

Henry had five carries for 7 yards against Miami, and also threw an interception on a poorly-executed halfback option.

Drew Bledsoe said the Bills have to be ready with or without Henry.

"We're not going to go and change our package," Bledsoe said. "Joe's got to step up and get the job done. ... We're asking him to do a lot but we expect him to step in and do it. And I have confidence that he will do it."