In his routine Monday morning press conference, Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron confirmed that starting quarterback Trent Edwards will miss his second straight start as he continues to recover from the head injury he sustained in a Week 6 victory over the New York Jets. With Edwards sidelined for another week, Ryan Fitzpatrick will make his second start at quarterback in a Bills uniform.
Jauron did mention that Edwards is progressing in the team's concussion protocol. Unlike last week, when Edwards was barely present at team facilities and did not do any workouts, Edwards will resume workouts this week; he has been cleared to practice, but it's not year clear if Edwards will take reps with the team, as Jauron did confirm that Edwards will be out, and will not serve as a reserve quarterback in any capacity in Week 8. Jauron called this the "conservative approach" to bringing Edwards back from his second concussion in two years, and with the Bills winning ugly behind Fitzpatrick, it's not completely essential that the Bills rush Edwards back into the lineup, particularly with a Week 9 bye following next weekend's home date with the Houston Texans.
Jauron's response when asked if Edwards would re-assume his starting role upon his return to health: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." As of now, however, no quarterback controversy exists in Buffalo, as the decision to start Fitzpatrick has everything to do with Edwards' health status, and nothing to do with on-field performance by either player.
Meanwhile, Jauron confirmed that DT Kyle Williams and FB Corey McIntyre are being evaluated for severe injuries the pair suffered in yesterday's 20-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers. We should know more about those injuries Wednesday, when the Bills begin practice preparations for the Texans. RT Jonathan Scott, SS Donte Whitner and SS Bryan Scott were all labeled "day to day" by Jauron, who also expressed optimism that rookie TE Shawn Nelson - who missed yesterday's game due to illness - will be back practicing with the team this week.