NEW YORK — The NFL will hold 10 regional combines and a 2013 super regional combine beginning late in January.
The regional combines are a supplement to the NFL’s national scouting combine in Indianapolis in late February.
Regional combines are conducted specifically for players eligible for the 2013 draft but not attending the Indianapolis combine; players with college playing experience who want to gauge their pro potential; and players with some professional playing experience but who have been out of the game for a period of time.
NFL executive Ray Anderson said the regional combines program “provides players who may not have had the chance before the opportunity to work out for NFL personnel executives. It allows all 32 clubs a chance to further evaluate future prospects.”
BILLS
Kelsay injures neck
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay has hurt his neck in practice, leaving his status uncertain for this weekend’s game at New England.
Coach Chan Gailey provided few details Thursday except to say Kelsay was undergoing tests, and he’d know more Friday. The 10-year veteran was escorted off the field by a team trainer shortly after the start of practice.
The Bills (3-5) are already depleted at defensive end in preparing to play the Patriots (5-3) on Sunday. Starter Mark Anderson will miss his fourth game with a left knee injury.
Backup defensive end Shawne Merriman was also added to Buffalo’s injury report with a chest injury.
Receiver Stevie Johnson (bruised thigh) and defensive tackle Kyle Williams (ankle) returned to practice, and both are expected to play.
JETS
Sapp added to roster
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have promoted linebacker Ricky Sapp from the practice squad to the active roster and added safety Antonio Allen to the practice squad.
Sapp, originally a 2010 fifthround draft pick by Philadelphia out of Clemson, was with the Jets’ practice squad last year and was on the active roster for the season finale. He was signed to New York’s practice squad on Sept. 1 after being waived in the preseason by the team this year. He spent three days on the practice squad, was cut again, but then re-signed on Sept. 11.
Allen was the Jets’ seventh-round pick out of South Carolina in April and was cut on Sept. 1, added to the practice squad the next day, then joined the active roster and played in three games in October. He was waived Tuesday and re-signed to the practice squad Thursday.
Sports, Pages 21 on 11/09/2012