There was good news and bad news following Buffalo's last practice Thursday night. James Hardy will play after two successful days of practice coming off of a hamstring injury. The news was not so good for the likes of Donte Whitner, Josh Reed and Angelo Crowell.
"They won't even make the trip," said head coach Dick Jauron. "They'll stay back and get treatment."
The news wasn't surprising for Whitner and Reed, who Jauron called doubtful on Wednesday, but Crowell was a bit of a surprise. Though he had been nursing an ailing left knee earlier in the week, Crowell had returned to practice the past two days. His knee however, swelled up again and after sitting out Thursday night's practice was ruled out for Saturday's game at Washington.
As for playing time for the starters on offense Trent Edwards said it won't be very long.
"We spoke about it briefly in meetings and we're going to try to get somewhere between 10 and 20 plays on Saturday and hopefully we'll move the ball a lot, score some points and get in the end zone," said Edwards.
The starters on defense are likely to see the same amount of playing time.
Newly signed defensive end Derrick Jones has only one day of practice under his belt, but he will dress and play on Saturday with his new teammates.
"I hope to get some snaps and show my skills," said Jones. "It's been a crazy couple of days, but I will play and I'll be ready for it."
Injury update
In addition to Crowell, Reed and Whitner, defensive end Copeland Bryan is not expected to travel with the club either as he's still recovering from a pulled hamstring.
Reed was not even in attendance at practice.
"Josh has got that lower back issue, he got hit there," said Jauron. "We treated it and it was pretty sore so we left him inside and let him lie down. (Head athletic trainer) Bud (Carpenter) feels okay about it. Obviously he's not going to do anything about this weekend."
Tim Massaquoi is doubtful for Saturday after suffering a groin injury.
Practice highlights
Even though the practice session was cut a bit short with the preseason opener just two days away there was some good action out on the field Thursday night.
The cornerbacks were getting their hands on passes early as Terrence McGee broke up a throw from Edwards that was intended for Lee Evans in 7-on-7. Leodis McKelvin also broke up a pass play from J.P. Losman to Roscoe Parrish.
C.J. Hawthorne made his first big play since signing with the club earlier this week as he pulled in a throw from Losman on a deep crossing pattern that would have been a 30 to 40 yard pickup.
Steve Johnson made a couple of nice receptions back-to-back on throws from Matt Baker and Gibran Hamdan, though he may have pushed off a little on the second reception.
James Hardy made a reception in the flat and effectively spun away from McGee to get outside and up the sideline.
Jason Jefferson got his hands up and batted a pass attempt by Losman. On another play Kyle Williams, Marcus Stroud and Ryan Denney all got in the backfield to put pressure on Edwards who dumped the ball off to Marshawn Lynch before a sack.
John McCargo made a nice penetration move to record what would have been a tackle for loss on Xavier Omon.
Jon Corto came on a safety blitz to tap out Baker for a would-be sack.
