ESPN NFL

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Buffalo running back Willis McGahee sat out the second quarter of the Bills' game against the New York Jets with an undisclosed illness Sunday, but returned to start the second half.

Linebacker Takeo Spikes was taken to the locker room in the second quarter with an ankle injury, but also came back after halftime.

McGahee spent most of the second half on the end of Buffalo's bench with his jersey and pads off and a big, blue Bills jacket draped over him. He was on his way to a big game against the Jets, gaining 75 yards on six carries, including a 57-yard TD run. Shortly before halftime, McGahee was standing on the sideline with his pads and jersey back on.

He has battled injuries recently, missing two games with broken ribs and sitting out two days of practice earlier this week with a left ankle injury suffered in the Bills' 24-20 loss to San Diego last Sunday.

Spikes, who missed four games with a hamstring injury earlier this season, was hurt when he tackled Cedric Houston at 12:13 of the second quarter. He sat on the field briefly, doubled over, before heading over to the bench. After Bills trainers checked on him, Spikes was taken to the locker room.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press