The situation at quarterback for the Bills in preparation for their season finale is no different than it was last week. It's up in the air until the coaching staff can get a look at starter Ryan Fitzpatrick on the practice field later this week, and Fitzpatrick is expected to participate.
"Fitzpatrick is still day to day in his pursuit to get back," said interim head coach Perry Fewell Monday. "We just have to evaluate that. We expect him to practice on Wednesday. But we'll just have to see him."
Fitzpatrick was close to being active on Sunday, though he would not have started against the Falcons. He worked out on the field prior to the game for about a half hour doing a lot of rollouts and shuffling up in the pocket to test his ailing right ankle. But his mobility was obviously hindered by his ankle injury as Buffalobills.com witnessed his workout Sunday.
Ultimately, Fitzpatrick and the training staff opted against making him an option for the game in any capacity.
"Fitz was close Sunday, but just couldn't protect himself with turns and things like that," said Fewell. "We expect him to be much better (this week). We haven't seen him on the field. We worked him out Sunday and he wasn't able to go Sunday. He has until Wednesday and we think he'll be better on Wednesday. We just have to see him practice."
The Bills started their third quarterback this season against Atlanta in Brian Brohm. It was the first time that's happened since 1969.
After reviewing the film Fewell felt Brohm did some good things under the circumstances.
"I thought he got better as the game went on," said Fewell. "Obviously he was a little nervous to begin with and then he started to hit his checkdowns and started to take command of the offense. He led an 11-play drive, and we went down and kicked a field goal and I thought that was a good thing for him to move the team for 11 plays and distribute the ball around. So I thought he got better as the game went on."
Brohm was 17-29 for 146 yards in the game. He was directly responsible for Buffalo's only two third down conversions in the game with completions to Lee Evans and Terrell Owens. He was also sacked twice and threw two interceptions.
His 17 completions matched the fourth-highest single game total by a Bills quarterback this season.
Fewell also said he does not expect Trent Edwards to be available for Sunday's game due to a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 15 against New England.
