Buffalo Bills news, 10/2: injury updates for the short week

Breaking down Buffalo Bills WR Stevie Johnson's one-catch game - ESPN

"But since Johnson is a player, who over the long haul, needs to contribute significantly to the Bills' offense, it's worth digging deeper into his six targets Sunday and taking notes to see if any problems carry forward."

Jairus Byrd's practice status upgraded - ESPN

"I just got some really nice, expensive orthotics made last week," Byrd said. "It's helping a lot. Shout-out to the training staff on that."

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Doug Marrone: "It's like baseball. We want to be strong up the middle" - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills head coach talks about the injury situation, playing on Thursday, and the challenges of facing Cleveland's defense." He also discusses Brian Hoyer.

EJ Manuel: "I think we'll do well" - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills quarterback talks about the short turnaround, facing the Browns defense, and preparing for another start on the road."

Jairus Byrd: "definitely want to get out there" - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills safety talks about the next steps in coming back from his injury, and if there's an eagerness to get back out there."

Jairus Byrd getting closer - BuffaloBills.com
"For the first time since he rejoined the team in late August, safety Jairus Byrd was listed as a full participant in practice Tuesday. Though the designation indicates progress, both head coach Doug Marrone and the Pro Bowl defensive back stopped short of saying he’d be in the lineup to face the Browns Thursday night."

Spiller still hopeful for Thursday night - BuffaloBills.com
"We were right on schedule to do what we were supposed to do, what we had planned," Spiller said. "Do some jogging, some moving around and try to get some energy into it and just go from there. It wasn’t a plan for me to come in and have a full day’s practice. Come in just move around and start to get my body back to moving because I haven’t done that since Sunday."

Bills Roundup: Spiller, Jackson Injury Updates - VIDEO - BuffaloBills.com
" With the short week, the Bills hit the practice field Tuesday in preparations for Thursday's game in Cleveland and many key players were limited."

Inside The Bills | Marrone: Hopkins won’t be ready for Thurs.
When asked if he’d be ready for Thursday night’s game against Cleveland, Marrone simply said, "No."

Inside The Bills | Goodwin update
"Having only been catching footballs for two days, it sounds more likely that Goodwin and the club elect to get him ready to make his return to the lineup in Week 6 against Cincinnati. His final status for Thursday night’s game will be made late Wednesday."

Inside The Bills | Fred: "I’m definitely playing."
"Jackson did admit that the knee is sore, but he said he’s just going to deal with it."

Inside The Bills | Polar opposites offensively
"The Bills lead the league in rushing attempts 147 in four games averaging almost 37 per game. Not surprisingly, they also rank 24th in pass attempts with 130. Meanwhile Cleveland is tied for the league lead (St. Louis) in pass attempts with 183 and stand 27th in rushing attempts with 80 on the season (20 per game)."

Inside The Bills | Alonso, Woods both up for Rookie of Week
"It’s going to be the toughest choice Bills fans have ever had to make for a weekly award. Two Bills are nominees this week for the Pepsi Next NFL Rookie of the Week award."

Is Marcell Dareus shaking off draft disappointment? - Press Coverage - The Buffalo News
"He's played good," Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams said. "It's the same thing that we've talked about, just knowing that he's always had it, just waiting for it to turn it on, and I think we're getting there. You still have to go out and make it happen every week, but he's getting there."

Bills cram for Browns with work week compressed - Sports - The Buffalo News
"Your meetings are a little bit longer, extended," Marrone said. "Your practice time and practice reps are a little bit shorter. We extend the walk-through time for the players. Basically we’re getting our Wednesday and Thursday in. Then tomorrow, on Wednesday, we’ll get our Friday and Saturday in."

Aaron Williams says he will play Thursday - ESPN
"Williams did not finish Sunday's win over the Baltimore Ravens with a lower back injury and worked with the strength and conditioning staff during the early portion of Tuesday's practice."

Power Rankings: No. 23 Buffalo Bills - ESPN
Buffalo got a bump after losing to the Jets but raised only one spot after a convincing win over the Baltimore Ravens. They face the 20th-ranked Browns (yep) this Thursday.

DBN Radio: Bills vs. Browns Preview - Dawgs By Nature
"Tonight is another edition of Dawgs By Nature Radio, October 1st, LIVE at 7 PM EST. Josh Finney will host this week's episode, and he'll be joined by Zach Miller. Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings will also join us as a guest."

Bills’ Dareus coming up big - Democrat and Chronicle
"I’m more comfortable this year," Dareus said. "I’m in a spot where life is life, you’ve got to live for the future and take care of your responsibilities. I’m back in a comfort zone, trying to have fun and being me."

Rookie Watch: Kiko Alonso, Robert Woods shine for young Buffalo Bills | Audibles - SI.com
The Buffalo newbies get highlighted in the league-wide rookie watch.

WGR 550 SportsRadio - JW: All-22 Review Week 4 - Bills/Ravens
"A win over the defending Super Bowl Champions will go a long way to build a team’s collective confidence. Eric Wood and Marcell Dareus get game balls for work in the trenches, while old offense and new defense make the difference. It’s tape time, with All-22."