Bills’ Kelly Hurt, Out for Cowboys

Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly injured a hamstring during a non-contact passing drill in practice Thursday and will not play for the Bills against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The extent of the injury was not immediately known, said John Butler, the Bills’ general manager. Kelly, 36, was taken from the practice field at Orchard Park, N.Y, and examined by the team doctor. He was scheduled to undergo more tests Thursday night.

The injury to Kelly comes as he has gotten off to the worst start in his career. He has thrown eight interceptions against two touchdowns and has the poorest quarterback rating in the AFC.

Second-year quarterback Todd Collins will probably start against Dallas. He and Alex Van Pelt have been alternating weeks as Buffalo’s second-string quarterback and this is Collins’ week.

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Free-agent tight end Johnny Mitchell could return to the NFL next week, possibly with the Baltimore Ravens, after spending two months away from the game to take care of family business, his agent said.

Mitchell, 25, has also spoken with the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins.

Mitchell and Eric Green, another former Dolphin, are the two top free-agent tight ends on the market. Both tried out for the Ravens this week, although a Baltimore spokesman said the team is not close to signing another tight end.

Mitchell caught 45 passes for 497 yards and five touchdowns with the New York Jets last season. His career totals include 158 receptions for 2,068 yards and 16 touchdowns in four seasons.

The Ravens’ offense features veteran Brian Kinchen at tight end. Kinchen, in his ninth NFL season, has 12 catches for 141 yards and no touchdowns in three games this season. Frank Hartley, who has been out because of a sprained knee, and Harold Bishop are the other tight ends on Baltimore’s roster.