PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AFC : Jones, Bills’ Star Safety, Undergoes Knee Surgery

Henry Jones, veteran Buffalo Bills’ safety, could be sidelined for the rest of the NFL season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Buffalo, which can clinch its sixth AFC East title in eight years Sunday with a victory over Miami, would need to reach the AFC championship game for Jones to be able to return this season.

Jones, 27, in his fifth year, led the team in tackles through the first 13 games. He is the third member of Buffalo’s secondary to be injured this season. Cornerback Jeff Burris is out for the season because of a torn knee ligament, and free safety Kurt Schulz sat out two games because of a bruised thigh.

The Bills will move Schulz to strong safety, and former starter Matt Darby, the ex-UCLA star, will be inserted into Schulz’s spot at free safety.

The Bills also waived defensive end James Patton, marking the second time this season they have given up on a former second-round draft choice. Patton played only 14 games in three years with Buffalo after being hobbled by hip injuries.

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The NFL announced Tuesday that it had fined two Cincinnati Bengals and a Jacksonville Jaguars’ player $5,000 each for a fight at the end of their Nov. 26 game. Cincinnati receivers Carl Pickens and Darnay Scott and Jacksonville cornerback Vinnie Clark were penalized.

Pickens went after Jacksonville safety Harry Colon when Colon tackled him after Pickens caught the game-winning pass in the end zone with 17 seconds left. Scott fought with Clark at about the same time. Colon was not fined.