by Curtis Crabtree
KJR reporter
Twitter: @Curtis_Crabtree

RENTON - The Seattle Seahawks will have to test their cornerback once again this weekend as the team will be without CB Walter Thurmond.

Thurmond was officially ruled out for Sunday's game after suffering a hamstring injury during practice on Wednesday. He was unable to practice either Thursday or Friday and head coach Pete Carroll said he wouldn't be ready to go in time for the game.

In his place, CB Byron Maxwell and CB Jeremy Lane will have to step up into more prominent roles. Both received extensive playing time in the Seahawks 58-0 blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals last week.

"They have been playing a lot of special teams, but it’s different," Carroll said. "So they got to play last week, and got extensive play which was important, and we feel better about that because of it."

It will be the third different starting cornerback the Seahawks have needed in three weeks. CB Brandon Browner started the first 11 games of the season for Seattle before landing on the suspended list due to a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

Thurmond started in place of Browner last week before going down with the hamstring injury in practice. Carroll wouldn't say who would start but both are expected to play.

Seattle had only used three cornerback through the first 10 games. Browner, CB Richard Sherman and CB Marcus Trufant were the only cornerbacks to play over that stretch. Trufant has missed the last two games and won't play Sunday with a hamstring injury as well.

With the loss of Browner, Thurmond and Trufant, it has forced the Seahawks to really test their depth.

LB Leroy Hill will play after missing the last two games with an ankle. He was get the start but LB Malcolm Smith, who has started the last two games in place of Hill, is expected to play as well.

WR Sidney Rice returned to practice on Friday and is expected to play after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Rice had a bruised foot that became sore following the win over the Cardinals. He was even in a walking boot on Wednesday but is expected to be good to go.

It's a good thing too since the guy who would have seen additional time in Rice's absence had his season come to an end.

The Seahawks placed WR Charly Martin on injured reserve on Saturday after he suffered a serious injury to his calf in Thursday's practice. To fill his spot on the roster, the team re-signed WR Deon Butler. Butler was a third round pick of the Seahawks in 2009 and played three season in Seattle before being released during final cuts after training camp.

Injury Report:

Buffalo Bills

Out

C Eric Wood (knee) - DNP

Questionable

LB Nick Barnett (knee) - Limited
S Jairus Byrd (shin) - Limited
DT Marcel Dareus (shoulder) - Limited
DT Spencer Johnson (knee) - Limited
CB Leodis McKelvin (groin) - Limited
DE Mark Anderson (knee) - Limited
G Andy Levitre (knee) - Limited
CB Justin Rodgers (foot) - Limited
WR Donald Jones (calf) - Limited

Probable

DT Kyle Williams (ankle) - Full
DB Ron Brooks (hip) - Full
TE Scott Chandler (groin) - Full
TE Lee Smith (knee) - Full
G Kraig Urbik (knee) - Full
LB Chris White (thumb) - Limited
G Da'Norris Searcy (hand) - Full
RB C.J. Spiller (shoulder) - Full
CB Aaron Williams (knee) - Full
DE Mario Williams (wrist) - Full

Seattle Seahawks

Out

CB Walter Thurmond (hamstring) - DNP
CB Marcus Trufant (hamstring) - DNP

Probable

WR Sidney Rice (foot) - Full
S Kam Chancellor (groin) - Full
DE Red Bryant (foot) - Full
RB Marshawn Lynch (back/foot) - Limited