Notebook: 'Skins start only 10 on 'D' to honor slain Taylor

LANDOVER, Md. -- The message was perfectly clear: Sean Taylor is gone forever, and he is not forgotten.

For all of the No. 21 jerseys, twirling white towels and handwritten signs in the stands Sunday, for all of the red-and-yellow flowers and burning candles at a makeshift memorial outside the stadium, for all of the pregame tributes to the Pro Bowl safety, the most stark reminder of Taylor's plight came when the Washington Redskins lined up on defense for the first time since he was killed.

Instead of 11 Redskins on the field, as rules allow, there were 10.

When the visiting Buffalo Bills prepared to run their first play on offense midway through the opening quarter, the man who replaced Taylor in Washington's lineup, Reed Doughty, stood near coaches on the sideline.

"It was important for the team to know that Sean was with us that one last time on the field," Doughty said. "He'll always be with us, but that was special."

After watching while Bills running back Fred Jackson gained 22 yards, Doughty entered for the next play -- and made the tackle.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs wasn't aware ahead of time that players were going to honor Taylor that way; assistant coach Gregg Williams said his defensive coaches and unit decided Saturday night to do it.

"We were going to let him ride with us one more time," Williams said.

INJURIES: Lions wide receiver Roy Williams hurt his right knee in Sunday's game against the Vikings, ending his afternoon in the second quarter. The team called his return probable in the second period, but with the game out of reach after Minnesota built a 42-10 lead early in the third quarter, Williams was ruled out for the rest of the day. ... Texans quarterback Matt Schaub left Sunday's game against the Titans in the first quarter after dislocating his left shoulder. ... The Chiefs were down to their third-team quarterback after Damon Huard hurt his hand late in a loss to the Chargers. Tyler Thigpen replaced Huard, who started for the injured Brodie Croyle. ... The Cardinals, already playing without Larry Fitzgerald, lost Anquan Boldin, their other standout receiver, to an injured left foot in the third quarter of their win over the Browns. ... Redskins receiver Antwaan Randle El missed the first game of his six-year NFL career when a hamstring injury sidelined him for a loss to the Bills.

EXTRA POINT: Rock 'n' rollers Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers will perform during halftime of the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium.