Gaines out for SundayThe Bills will be without at least one of the starting members of their secondary Sunday. Head coach Sean McDermott declared CB E.J. Gaines out for Sunday's game.
"Gaines will be out for the game," said McDermott. "Then it's still day to day with Jordan (Poyer) at this point."Gaines suffered a hamstring injury last Sunday that has kept him off the practice field all week.
Veteran Shareece Wright will start in place of Gaines.
Poyer has been working hard to return to the lineup, but was limited to the stationary bike on Wednesday and Thursday. But McDermott said if he can do even a little bit of work on Friday and can go on Sunday that he would be in Sunday's lineup.
"He's a guy who has been on the practice field and staying in tune with the game plan," said McDermott of Poyer. "If he can go he'll be the starter."
Meanwhile on offense Richie Incognito is practicing on a limited basis here on Friday. It's his first day of practice as he tries to return from an ankle injury sustained last week. Provided he comes through today's practice well, McDermott is confident that Incognito will be able to go on Sunday.
"He's played through things before," said McDermott. "He was able to finish the game (last Sunday). He's a strong individual both physically and mentally. So, I'm confident that we're headed in the right direction right now."
Bills supporting Thomas family after their lossLogan Thomas and his wife Brandie were expecting their fifth child, a girl, but earlier this week there were unfortunately complications and Brooklyn Rose did not survive after being born. Thomas missed practice on Wednesday to comfort his wife and family.
Coach McDermott opened his Friday press conference with condolences for the Thomas family.
"I just wanted to start by mentioning my heartfelt condolences, our heartfelt condolences to Logan and the Thomas family on the loss of his daughter," he said. "It offers great perspective for where we are and what we do. We know how important it is and it seems like the only thing at times, but it's certainly not the only thing. We're going to offer our support and our love and wrap our arms around the Thomas family at this time and for as long as they need it."
Thomas was back with his teammates on the practice field on Thursday and is with the team practicing again today.
"You get inspiration the way that he and his family have handled this," said McDermott. "Just really speaks volumes about who they are. I am 100 percent confident that they will use this to continue to grow closer as a family. I was just happy to see Logan's smiling face in here yesterday. Not from a football standpoint, but just for him to be around and for us to embrace him and to be around his teammates also. He seems to be handling it as well as anyone could at this point."
At this point it appears that Thomas will be in uniform and play on Sunday.
Boldin trade request being honoredThe news broke late Thursday that retired receiver Anquan Boldin is reconsidering his retirement. His agent, Tom Condon, has made a request to the Buffalo Bills to seek a trade to find a team interested in his client that closer to the family's Florida home. The Bills have granted permission to Condon with certain conditions. When asked for details about where Boldin's thinking is at right now, coach McDermott chose not to get into details.
"I'm aware that he was interested in returning (to play), but other than that I'm not going to get into any specifics," said McDermott. "I'm also aware of the letter that was sent, but my focus and our focus is on this game, the 63 guys that I coach and the Oakland Raiders right now.
"I'm 100 percent focused on this football team and anything else would be a mistake on my part. I wouldn't be doing my job. I care about the guys who are in this building. We've got a big challenge in front of us come Sunday. We've got to respect that process also here."
Boldin signed with the Bills in August after taking a couple of weeks to mull over the prospect of undertaking a 15th NFL season. A week later, Boldin determined that being a community activist and social causes were more important for him to undertake and he retired.
Now two months later he has had a change of heart and is hopeful he can resume his playing career. Each of the league's three Florida teams appear to have plenty of depth at the receiver position. Jacksonville did lose Allen Robinson for the season, but he's an outside receiver and most see Boldin as a slot receiver. Boldin and his representatives will likely need to expand their search to find a team willing to part with a draft pick for the veteran receiver.
