Injured Bills rookie rips into Gronkowski

Shazier has spinal surgery; Steelers provide no update.

Bills rookie cornerback Tre’Davious White shook nervously in anger at his locker Thursday while accusing Patriots Rob Gronkowski of being a dirty player for blindsiding him in the back of the head.

As for the NFL issuing Gronkowski a one-game suspension for the hit last Sunday, White turned away from the television cameras and muttered: “It’s a joke, dog.” White then turned back toward the cameras and said he didn’t know what to say.

“He is what he did. A dirty shot. So what’s that make him? A dirty player. Simple,” White said.

“I’m laying there. He snuck me. My back turned. He could’ve broken my neck,” he added. “I’ve got a son to raise, and all of that. People don’t think of that when they just react.”

White made his first comments since being hit by Gronkowski with 4:50 left in Buffalo’s 23-3 loss to the Patriots. White lay near the New England sideline after intercepting a Tom Brady pass. White had already been touched by a Patriots player when Gronkowski led with his forearm and struck White in the back of the helmet. Gronkowski was penalized for unnecessary roughness, then suspended one game by the NFL a day later.

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Gronkowski used his full force in landing on White, who is 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds.

White was dazed and immediately evaluated for a concussion. He was cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol on Thursday, putting him in a position to play Sunday when Buffalo (6-6) hosts Indianapolis (3-9).

“Real guys don’t do that. From where I’m from, stuff like that don’t fly,” White added. “I’m glad I had my mouthpiece in. I probably could’ve bit my tongue off. I bit my lip pretty bad. Terrible headache. It is what it is, man, he did what he wanted to do.”

Gronkowski apologized for the hit following the game.

“Just want to apologize to Tre’Davious White. I don’t really believe in the type of shots like that,” Gronkowski said. “It just happened naturally through emotions and frustrations.”

White didn’t want to hear it.

“No. His intentions were what he did,” White said. “A man don’t do that.”

Meantime, Bills coach Sean McDermott said he isn’t ready to name his starting quarterback against Indianapolis after Tyrod Taylor was limited in practice because of a bruised left knee. Rookie Nathan Peterman will start if Taylor can’t play.

Steelers: Linebacker Ryan Shazier underwent surgery Wednesday night to stabilize his spine.

The team announced Thursday that doctors David Okonkwo and Joseph Maroon performed the surgery after Shazier was transferred from a hospital in Cincinnati to one in Pittsburgh.

The 25-year-old Shazier suffered the injury while hitting Cincinnati’s Josh Malone in the first quarter of Pittsburgh’s 23-20 victory over the Bengals on Monday night.

The team offered no additional update on Shazier. The Steelers have not said whether Shazier has movement in his legs, or whether they expect him to recover from his injury.

Jets: Wide receiver Robby Anderson was limited at practice after tweaking a hamstring, and his status for Sunday’s game at Denver is uncertain.

Anderson was a full participant Wednesday but was listed on the team’s injury report with a hamstring issue. Coach Todd Bowles said the second-year receiver had a setback Thursday.

The Jets’ offense would take a big hit if Anderson is unable to play. He’s having a breakout season with 49 catches for a team-leading 821 yards and seven TDs.

Chiefs: Placed pass rusher Dee Ford on injured reserve with an ailing back and signed defensive tackle Justin Hamilton, three days before a crucial game against Oakland. Ford had 10 sacks in 15 games last season but will finish with two in six games this season.

Dolphins: Coach Adam Gase said No. 2 quarterback Matt Moore will be unavailable for at least one more game because of a foot injury. David Fales will again back up Jay Cutler on Monday night against New England.