Shawn Nelson caught 17 passes in 12 games in 2009 with one touchdown for the Bills.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- Buffalo Bills tight end Shawn Nelson has been suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

The league announced Friday that Nelson will be suspended without pay for the Bills' regular-season games against the Dolphins, Packers, Patriots and Jets. He can return to the active roster Oct. 4 and play the following weekend against the Jaguars.

Nelson had 17 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown in 12 games as a rookie out of Southern Mississippi last season.

The Bills were already short-handed at tight end after Derek Schouman hurt his knee in Thursday's 34-21 pre-season victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Nelson is eligible to participate in all pre-season practices and games.

Nelson's agent, Joel Segal, declined comment.

Schouman hurts knee in game vs. Colts

TORONTO (CP) -- Bills tight end Derek Schouman has hurt his knee and it's too early to determine how much time he'll miss.

Coach Chan Gailey provided that assessment following Thursday night's game in Toronto.

Schouman, who's been limited by injuries for part of training camp, was hurt early in the second quarter on a play in which quarterback Trent Edwards scrambled for three yards. It's unclear which knee Schouman hurt.

It's the latest setback for the third-year player, who finished last season on injured reserve after hurting his right knee in Week 2.

The Bills are off Friday, before returning to training camp in suburban Rochester on Saturday.

WR David Nelson out indefinitely

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) -- Bills rookie receiver David Nelson is out indefinitely after being carted off the field with a right leg injury during practice on Tuesday.

"It doesn't look good," coach Chan Gailey said, without providing any specifics of the injury.

Based on the initial prognosis, Gailey added that there is a question as to whether Nelson will recover in time for the Bills' season opener against Miami on Sept. 12.

Nelson was hurt about an hour into practice while taking part in a team red zone drill. Making a catch over the middle from Levi Brown, Nelson turned toward the end zone and was on his way down when he was nudged sideways by a defender, who was attempting to stop himself from making a collision.

It appeared that Nelson's right foot got caught in the turf as he fell.

Nelson immediately clutched at his lower leg. Trainers spent about five minutes treating the player and keeping his foot elevated. Nelson was then loaded into a cart and unable to put any weight on his foot.

An undrafted rookie free agent out of Florida, Nelson is part of a raw and inexperienced receiving corps competing for a backup spot on the team.

He had a solid NFL debut, making a team-high five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in a pre-season-opening 42-17 loss at Washington last week.