ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills' quarterback Jim Kelly says offensive tackle Howard Ballard should be blamed for allowing the blow that caused Kelly to separate his left shoulder in Sunday's 37-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Kelly suffered the injury, which could sideline him for four games, in the third quarter when he was hit by Colts defensive end Jon Hand.
'It should have never happened,' Kelly said of the hit. '(Hand) should have been blocked. Watching film, I don't know what Howard was thinking. It seemed like he was looking outside to see if a guy blitzed or something... and not at the guy over him (Hand).'
Kelly said he was getting pressured from Ballard's side throughout the game.
'I think four out of our five positions (on the offensive line) are very solid,' Kelly said Monday. 'I don't even need to tell you guys what position they might need to make a change in. I can't stand up here and say they should do it or shouldn't do it. I don't make the decisions.
'But something has to happen.'
Ballard, a second-year tackle, said he was not angry with Kelly.
'I'm sorry Jim got hurt, but there's nothing I can do about it now,' Ballard said. 'I just got beat at that particular time. I missed the block in pass protection.'
Bills Coach Marv Levy refused to comment on Kelly's criticism of Ballard.
'I can't monitor every single thing players say,' Levy said, 'and I don't want to react to what they say in the media. Overall, our protection needs to improve. Overall, our play needs to improve. I'm not going to point a finger at any players here.'
The Bills, however, have acquired offensive guard Todd Peat off waivers from the Phoenix Cardinals. The 6-foot-2, 294-pound Peat, in his third NFL season, is expected to be a backup for the Bills.
Kelly said he hopes to be ready to play in three weeks, and that team physician Dr. Richard Weiss told him more on his playing status would be known later in the week.
Levy said Kelly would remain on the Bills 47-man active roster while he recovers.
Veteran backup Frank Reich will make his first NFL start when the Bills host the Los Angeles Rams next Monday night.
