Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham
The Buffalo Bills have been coy this week about cornerback Terrence McGee's status. They've suggested he might be able to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Chalk that up to gamesmanship, a ploy to give the Cardinals one more thing to think about.
It was reported here Monday that McGee would not play because of a sprained left knee, but Bills coach Dick Jauron kept the door open for a possible return.
That door will slam shut when the flight crew seals the cabin on the Bills' charter plane. McGee isn't even making the trip to Arizona, an NFL source told me Friday morning.
McGee is Buffalo's best cornerback and a former Pro Bowl kick returner. His void will be filled by top rookie Leodis McKelvin and Ashton Youboty.
The youngsters will have an easier-than-normal time against the Cardinals, who will be without receiver Anquan Boldin. OK, that's not official -- just like McGee's absence isn't official. But the Cardinals still have strong-armed quarterback Kurt Warner and elite target Larry Fitzgerald.
McGee's loss will be felt, but the Bills do have a bye in Week 6. His status for Week 7 against the Chargers is uncertain, but the team is optimistic he'll be able to play then.
Graham joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Miami Dolphins for the Palm Beach Post. He previously spent eight years at the Buffalo News, where he was an award-winning NHL and boxing writer. The Baldwin-Wallace College grad also has worked for the Las Vegas Sun and Boston Herald.
