ORCHARD PARK, N.Y., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Rob Johnson, the Buffalo Bills's choice over Doug Flutie at quarterback, will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a broken right collarbone in Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.
Johnson suffered the injury when he landed on his throwing shoulder while being sacked by Patriots cornerback Terrell Buckley late in the fourth quarter.
Injuries are nothing new for Johnson, who has failed to finish a game three times this season, and 11 times in 27 starts with the Bills.
Coach Gregg Williams confirmed the injury at his Monday news conference. Williams did not speculate on how long Johnson would be sidelined, but did discount reports that said the signal caller broke his collarbone in four places.
"It's not broken in four places, no. He's got a mid-shaft fracture, and there could be four fragments, but it's one break," Williams explained. "It all heals the same. The length of the heal is rehab, it's no more serious. It will all heal in the same time."
In the offseason, the new Bills regime of Williams and general manager Tom Donahoe annointed Johnson as the club's starting quarterback, paving the way for the release of the popular Flutie. Johnson and Flutie battled for playing time the last three years and have a known dislike for each other.
The fans were chanting, "Flutie, Fluite" at Johnson as he was being carted up the Foxboro Stadium tunnell after he suffered his latest injury.
The move to Johnson has not worked out for the Bills, who have won just once in eight games and have the AFC's worst record.
Williams implemented the West Coast offense in Buffalo this season, and Johnson has struggled with the new system. He has completed 134-of-217 passes for 1,465 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.
If Johnson does not return this season, it could signal the end of his tenure in Buffalo. He has one year remaining on a five-year, $25 million contract that he signed with the Bills after being acquired from Jacksonville prior to the 1998 season.
With Johnson going down, Alex Van Pelt will make his first start in four seasons on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. He has completed 30-of-55 passes for 355 yards and with four touchdowns and three interceptions in five games this season.
In his seventh season, Van Pelt has made three career starts, his last coming against Green Bay on Dec. 20, 1997. He has completed 107-of-211 passes for 1,230 yards with eight touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 16 career games.
