There's no replacing the production of Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole, perhaps the best player on the Eagles defense. But there are plenty of hands on deck who will do the best they can to fill in until Cole returns from a "significant" calf injury. Two defensive ends stepped up their level of participation in practice Wednesday as Juqua Parker (high ankle sprain) was a limited participant for the first time in weeks and Darryl Tapp (pectoral) fully participated in practice for the first time since sustaining the injury in Week 1.

Head coach Andy Reid indicated in his Wednesday press conference that Tapp is further along than Parker at the moment and will likely be able to play this weekend against the Buffalo Bills.

"I thought I was pretty good (last week)," Tapp said. "The biggest thing last week was they wanted to be careful and not put me in a situation where it could get worse than it was.

"It's definitely a lot better (now) than it was."

Parker, meanwhile, is staying his course of rehab.

"I feel like I can add a little something more to the game when I'm in there," he said. "Of course I'm itching to get back but I'm not trying to reinjure my ankle again."

Cole and left tackle Jason Peters (hamstring) were the only two Eagles not to practice. Everyone else was a full participant except for tight end Brent Celek, who was limited because of an illness.

The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, saw eight players not participate in their Wednesday practice including starting linebackers Nick Barnett (ankle) and Shawne Merriman (shoulder), starting center Eric Wood (ankle), starting left tackle Demetrius Bell (shoulder) and running back C.J. Spiller (knee). Bell has already been ruled out and will be replaced by rookie fourth-round pick Chris Hairston.

The Bills did get good injury news though with the return to full participation for starting cornerback Terrence McGee, who hasn't played a game this season because of a hamstring injury.