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SPORTS A19
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Injuries, questions follow Buffalo Bills to England
JOHN WAWROW updates on the status of Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) is brought down in the first half of an NFL football game
AP Sports Writer his injured players following against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) the game, and isn’t sched-
— Coach Rex Ryan and uled to address reporters Associated Press
the Bills carried plenty of until the Bills hold their first
baggage upon flying out practice on Wednesday. “I went with some three- injured reserve last week sion after being arrested
of Buffalo and touching What complicates matters man rush stuff and never because of a neck injury. and charged with bat-
down in London on Mon- is how restricted the Bills will let my guys go as much as “We’re banged up. The tery for punching a boy in
day. be if they intend to bring I should have,” Ryan said. only think that’s certain the face in Florida. Though
A sudden rash of injuries is in reinforcements, who will “We’ve got to take a long is we’ve got a game on charges were dropped,
a concern for the Bills (3- require a valid passport to hard look at what we’re Sunday,” receiver Robert the Bills suspended Kromer
3), who left town early in travel to England. asking our guys to do.” Woods said. “We’re going without pay. ... CB Leodis
preparation to play the “No, it’s not easy logistical- It doesn’t help that the Bills to London with what we McKelvin is eligible to be
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) ly,” general manager Doug might be without one of have. I think it’s a must-win activated off the reserve-
at Wembley Stadium on Whaley said. “It’s going to their front-line anchors in situation.” non-football injury list on
Sunday. put us in a bind.” Kyle Williams. And they’re NOTES: Offensive line Tuesday.
And then there are ques- The Bills’ defense is another already missing starting coach Aaron Kromer is set
tions regarding the effi- concern. safety Aaron Williams, who to rejoin the team after He has been sidelined
ciency of Buffalo’s prized The pass rush has dried up. was placed on short-term serving a six-game suspen- since aggravating an injury
defense which is playing Buffalo has managed just to his right foot in July.q
well below its high-priced nine sacks in six games,
expectations after being well off the pace of the
picked apart in a 34-21 loss past two years in which the
to Cincinnati. Bills topped 50.
“Any time you go on a trip Against the Bengals, the
like this, it’s all about cir- Bills failed to register a sack
cling the wagons,” offen- or generate a turnover in
sive guard Richie Incognito the same game for the
said following the loss to first time since a 44-7 loss
the Bengals. at Dallas on Nov. 13, 2011.
“This is where teams really And they’ve not been shut
forge their identity. We’re out at home in both cate-
going over to face some gories since a 38-14 loss to
adversity, and it’ll be good the New York Jets on Oct.
for us.” 3, 2010.
The question is which Bills The defense on third down
will be healthy enough to was an issue, too, against
face that challenge. the Bengals, who convert-
Receiver Sammy Watkins ed 7 of 12 opportunities.
(left ankle), The 58 percent conversion
defensive tackle Kyle Wil- rate matched the highest
liams (left knee), offensive against Buffalo since New
tackle Seantrel Henderson England went 7 of 12 on
(concussion) and receiver Nov. 11, 2012.
Marquise Goodwin (ribs) This is not what was expect-
were hurt against Cincin- ed from a unit that features
nati, and their status is un- two defensive lineman with
certain against Jackson- $100 million contracts —
ville. Mario Williams and Marcell
Then there are the regulars Dareus — and returned
who were already side- mostly intact after leading
lined on Sunday, including the league in sacks and
starting quarterback Tyrod allowing the fourth-fewest
Taylor (left knee), receiver yards last season.
Percy Harvin (hip), backup Ryan placed the blame
running back Karlos Wil- on himself and finally be-
liams (concussion) and gan acknowledging that
receiver Marcus Easley he might be holding back
(shoulder). too much when it comes to
Ryan declined to provide pressuring the pocket.
