Philagape
08-18-2004, 06:19 PM
from the AP wire, not Internet ...
<I>By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) … Bills punter Brian Moorman hurt his
left leg in practice on Wednesday and did not return.
Coach Mike Mularkey did not immediately know the extent of
the injury. He said he would provide an update on Moorman
following practice on Thursday, the team's last session before
hosting Tennessee in a preseason game on Saturday.
Moorman, who also serves as the Bills holder, was hurt while
trying to run with the ball following a botched snap during a
field-goal drill. He appeared to trip and came up limping
before being escorted to the locker room.
Moorman, the AFC's Pro Bowl alternate in 2002, had a 44.6
yards punting average last year, finishing in a tie for third
in the NFL.
Right guard Chris Villarrial was excused from both practices
for what Mularkey called family reasons. It was not clear when
the player would return.
Villarrial's absence was another setback for the offensive
line, whose starters have been changing on an almost daily
basis.
Backup Ross Tucker filled Villarrial's spot, while Lawrence
Smith practiced with the starters for the second straight day
at left guard.
Rookie tackle Dylan McFarland, a seventh-round draft pick,
also left the field with an undisclosed injury during the
second practice.
Notes: DE Ryan Denney is now wearing No. 99, the fourth number
change in the player's third season in Buffalo. Denney
originally wore 91, but gave that up to veteran Keith McKenzie.
Denney then gave up No. 92 following LB Jason Gildon's signing
last month. After opening training camp with No. 62, he
switched to 99 after the team released DT Oliver Gibson last
weekend. ... The Bills game against Tennessee is almost sold
out. The NFL has allowed the Bills to extend their television
blackout deadline by 24 hours to Thursday at 7 p.m. in order to
sell the remaining tickets. If the tickets are sold, it would
mark the first sold-out preseason game since 1973 when the team
sold out its first preseason game at Ralph Wilson Stadium …
formerly Rich Stadium. ... After hosting Tennessee, the Bills
round out their preseason schedule on the road at Indianapolis
on Aug. 28 and at Detroit on Sept. 2. The start time for the
Detroit game has been pushed up an hour to 7 p.m.</I>
<I>By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) … Bills punter Brian Moorman hurt his
left leg in practice on Wednesday and did not return.
Coach Mike Mularkey did not immediately know the extent of
the injury. He said he would provide an update on Moorman
following practice on Thursday, the team's last session before
hosting Tennessee in a preseason game on Saturday.
Moorman, who also serves as the Bills holder, was hurt while
trying to run with the ball following a botched snap during a
field-goal drill. He appeared to trip and came up limping
before being escorted to the locker room.
Moorman, the AFC's Pro Bowl alternate in 2002, had a 44.6
yards punting average last year, finishing in a tie for third
in the NFL.
Right guard Chris Villarrial was excused from both practices
for what Mularkey called family reasons. It was not clear when
the player would return.
Villarrial's absence was another setback for the offensive
line, whose starters have been changing on an almost daily
basis.
Backup Ross Tucker filled Villarrial's spot, while Lawrence
Smith practiced with the starters for the second straight day
at left guard.
Rookie tackle Dylan McFarland, a seventh-round draft pick,
also left the field with an undisclosed injury during the
second practice.
Notes: DE Ryan Denney is now wearing No. 99, the fourth number
change in the player's third season in Buffalo. Denney
originally wore 91, but gave that up to veteran Keith McKenzie.
Denney then gave up No. 92 following LB Jason Gildon's signing
last month. After opening training camp with No. 62, he
switched to 99 after the team released DT Oliver Gibson last
weekend. ... The Bills game against Tennessee is almost sold
out. The NFL has allowed the Bills to extend their television
blackout deadline by 24 hours to Thursday at 7 p.m. in order to
sell the remaining tickets. If the tickets are sold, it would
mark the first sold-out preseason game since 1973 when the team
sold out its first preseason game at Ralph Wilson Stadium …
formerly Rich Stadium. ... After hosting Tennessee, the Bills
round out their preseason schedule on the road at Indianapolis
on Aug. 28 and at Detroit on Sept. 2. The start time for the
Detroit game has been pushed up an hour to 7 p.m.</I>