Buffalo Rumblinks, 8/18: Starters to play vs. Steelers

The Buffalo Bills are preparing to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 of the preseason, and unlike in the preseason opener, quarterback Josh Allen is going to play when Buffalo travels to Pittsburgh for a 6:30 p.m. EDT contest Saturday night.

In today’s edition of the Buffalo Rumblinks, we hear from head coach Sean McDermott on his plans for how long Allen and Buffalo’s starters will play during the second preseason game.

QB Josh Allen, starters to play in Week 2 vs. Steelers

Sean McDermott told the media that Allen and the rest of Buffalo’s starters will play about “a quarter and a half” in Saturday’s preseason game against the Steelers, which will represent the first preseason action for Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who both sat out the Bills’ 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.

• Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen to play in preseason game against Pittsburgh - Buffalo News
• Starters will play around a quarter and a half in Pittsburgh - WGR 550
• Bills QB Josh Allen to play in preseason game vs. Steelers - BuffaloBills.com
• Bills practice notes Aug. 17 | Sean McDermott on what he hopes to see in Week 2 of preseason - BuffaloBills.com

Updates on MLB competition, Boogie Basham impressing

Buffalo’s middle linebacker competition is wide open, according to McDermott, who said there’s still “room for improvement” among the candidates battling to succeed Tremaine Edmunds as the team’s starting MLB. Plus, defensive end Boogie Basham came up with a statement performance in Week 1 as he vies for a roster spot, safety Taylor Rapp is fitting in nicely at the back of Buffalo’s defense, defensive tackle Ed Oliver feels like he needs to prove himself all over again after signing his offseason contract extension, and more!

• Sean McDermott sees ‘room for improvement’ at Bills middle linebacker competition - Buffalo News
• Bills’ Boogie Basham makes statement in preseason as he battles for roster spot - Democrat & Chronicle
• Rapp has already taken to playing for the Bills - WGR 550
• Oliver is looking forward to proving himself all over again - WGR 550
• Eric Washington: “I Have A Lot Of Confidence” - BuffaloBills.com

Even more Bills news and notes

We see how wide receiver Deonte Harty and linebacker A.J. Klein were among those players who stood out during Thursday’s practice session. Plus, the history of the Madden curse and speculate on whether Josh Allen can avoid suffering similar fates as some of the past video game cover subjects, learn about some Bills-themed beers, and more!

• Harty, Klein make big plays as Bills wrap up week - WGR 550
• Can Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen avoid the Madden 24 curse? - ESPN
• Cheers to the Bills: Brewers scurry to craft Bills-themed beer - Buffalo News
• Erik Brady: Herb Mul-Key worked way into Bills lore as visiting player - Buffalo News

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