Outside linebacker Cameron Sheffield was waived Tuesday, clearing a spot on the 53-man roster for outside linebacker Tamba Hali, who was suspended for the season opener for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

Sheffield, a fifth-round draft pick from Troy in 2010, appeared in Sunday’s season-opening loss but was not credited with any tackles on defense or on special teams. Sheffield missed his entire rookie season because of a neck injury suffered in a preseason game and appeared in all 16 games last season with one start.

Bills banged up, too

While the Chiefs are still dealing with injuries on defense, with starting cornerback Brandon Flowers (foot), nose tackle Anthony Toribio (ankle) and safety Kendrick Lewis (shoulder) still big question marks for this week’s game at Buffalo, injuries have sabotaged the Bills’ offense.

Wide receiver David Nelson, the slot receiver in Buffalo’s multiple three-wide sets, suffered a torn knee ligament in the Bills’ 48-28 loss to the Jets and will miss the rest of the season.

Last season, Nelson caught 61 passes for 658 yards and five touchdowns for the Bills, including four receptions for 66 yards in Buffalo’s 41-7 opening-day win against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Buffalo running back Fred Jackson will miss perhaps as much as a month after sustaining a knee injury in the first half against the Jets. Jackson led the Bills in rushing last season with 834 yards, including a 5.5-yard average and six touchdowns. He carried 20 times for 112 yards against the Chiefs last season.

C.J. Spiller, the Bills’ first-round draft pick from Clemson in 2010, will start against the Chiefs. He rushed for 169 yards in the Jets game and carried five times for 16 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown at Kansas City last year.