Turns out that Denver isn’t the only team missing its best defensive players. Buffalo is, too.

Bills coach Dick Jauron confirmed that safety Donte Whitner has a separated shoulder that will sideline him indefinitely, and the injury to Bills Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Schobel might be worse.

Schobel has a torn tendon in his foot, which explains the discomfort and swelling he has there. Schobel now is consulting with Dr. Robert Anderson, one of the top foot specialists in the country to see if he needs season-ending surgery. Anderson office is in South Carolina.

The hope is that Schobel can avoid surgery, but at the very least, the Bills know that he also will be sidelined indefinitely after already missing the past three games. Last time Schobel played was Oct. 5, and this season, he has only one sack. A decision should be made shortly about whether surgery is needed, as the news gets worse for the Bills.