Bills' injured pile up

Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel missed practice yesterday and will be one of numerous regulars using the bye week to recuperate from injuries.

Schobel said he has a strained ligament in his left foot and doesn't expect to practice much, if at all, during the break. The Bills (4-1) are off to their best start in 16 years and host San Diego (2-3) Oct. 19.

The Bills' top pass rusher was hurt in a 31-14 win at St. Louis Sept. 28. He played most of the game against Arizona last weekend but sat out part of the fourth quarter after the score got out of hand in a 41-17 loss.

Quarterback Trent Edwards was absent from practice - the first of Buffalo's three this week - after he was sent home by the team to continue recovering from a concussion he sustained three plays into the game against Arizona.

Reserve defensive tackle John McCargo was also absent after being excused for personal reasons.

Also missing practice was receiver Roscoe Parrish, who's missed two games since having surgery to repair ligament damage in his right thumb. Initially expected to miss up to four weeks, Parrish said he could return to practice next week.

Saints not alive

Sean Payton briefly allowed himself to smile faintly when asked about his blood pressure.

"My wife asked me that," the Saints' coach said yesterday, a day after host New Orleans's error-filled 30-27 loss to Minnesota. "I'm fine. You know, I'm disappointed."

Other coaches might have used stronger language if their teams had made the blunders that plagued Payton's squad Monday night.

The Saints had one field goal blocked and returned 59 yards for a score, missed another field goal that would have given them a late lead, committed four turnovers, dropped several passes, and committed 11 penalties for 102 yards.

One of Drew Brees's interceptions came on a tipped pass at the Minnesota 12-yard line. And the Saints also failed to recover a surprise onside kick in the first quarter, leading to a Minnesota field goal.

Such failures proved too much to overcome, even with Reggie Bush returning two punts for touchdowns and the Saints' defense impressively limiting Adrian Peterson to only 32 yards rushing on 21 carries.

Saints cornerback Tracy Porter dislocated his right wrist in the game, had surgery yesterday, and was put on injured reserve, ending his season.

The Vikings were without linebacker E.J. Henderson, who will miss the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve because of dislocated toes.

Bengal suspended

The NFL suspended Bengals reserve linebacker Darryl Blackstock for the next four games because he used a performance-enhancing substance. The fourth-year veteran said in a statement that one of his nutritional supplements contained an ingredient banned by the league. The Bengals also re-signed running back Kenny Watson, who was released Saturday when they needed to open a roster spot for receiver Chris Henry . . . Steelers kicker Jeff Reed probably won't miss any games because of a groin injury he sustained in a win over Jacksonville Sunday night. Pittsburgh (4-1) is off this week, and Reed said he should be fine for the Oct. 19 game at Cincinnati. Reed could have attempted a field goal during the Steelers' final possession if necessary, coach Mike Tomlin said. The Steelers, trailing, 21-20, scored on Ben Roethlisberger's 8-yard pass to Hines Ward with 1:53 remaining for a 26-21 victory . . . Green Bay released linebacker Tracy White and signed rookie linebacker Danny Lansanah from the practice squad. Lansanah signed with the Packers as a non-drafted free agent from the University of Connecticut.