Published: November 30, 2008 10:30 pm         

BILLS NOTEBOOK: Edwards leaves loss with groin injury

ORCHARD PARK — Trent Edwards’ status for next week’s game against the Miami Dolphins is in question after the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback left Sunday’s 10-3 loss to San Francisco with a sore groin.

Edwards said the injury was bothering him at the start of the game and that the pain became more severe every time he was knocked down. The worst came after the final play of the second quarter, when Edwards rolled to his right and completed a 24-yard pass to Josh Reed along the right sideline as time ran out.

“It really kind of put it over the top,” he said. “We made the call to just shut it down.”

Edwards said he wasn’t sure whether the injury was a strain or a pull, but was frustrated either way.

“I need to get in the training room and get better,” he said.

Edwards went 10-of-21 for 112 yards before being replaced by J.P. Losman for the start of the second half. Losman finished 11-of-17 for 93 yards in his second extended appearance this season.

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Losman got combative with reporters in his post-game press conference when questioned about possible communication problems on the sidelines.

“There were some other issues going on, but this is an in-house game,” he said. “I can only tell you guys what I want to tell you. I’ve been in this situation many times. It is an in-house game. Nobody will get anything out of me, ever. You guys can try, but it’s not going to happen. We’re a very close-knit group, regardless of what happens.”

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Bills coach Dick Jauron also had to face the music after the game when asked whether he felt like he was coaching for his job.

“I always feel like I’m playing for my job,” he said. “The first game you ever coached, you feel like you’re playing for your job. It’s just the nature of our business. You could say that any game.”

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Safety Donte Whitner (shoulder), tight end Robert Royal (hamstring), defensive end Aaron Schobel (foot) and cornerback Jabari Greer (knee) all were out of the starting lineup with injuries.

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In a pregame ceremony, safety Donte Whitner was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award. One player from each NFL team is annually given the award, which is the highest service honor one can receive from the White House.

Wilson has been actively involved in youth fitness programs, encouraging children to be active and make healthy choices. He’s also served as a Bills BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York “What Moves U” spokesman for the past three seasons.

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The family of the late Tim Russert attended Sunday’s game and was on hand prior to the game for a dedication ceremony that named part of Ralph Wilson Stadium “Tim Russert Plaza.”

“I can’t imagine anything that Tim would love better than being commemorated here because the Bills gave Tim his highest highs and his lowest lows,” said Maureen Orth, Russert’s widow.

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With seven catches, Bills receiver Lee Evans pushed his career total to 282 and into eighth place on the team’s career list, surpassing the 278 receptions recorded by Jerry Butler.

Contact reporter Jay Skurski at 693-1000, ext. 117. The Associated Press contributed to this report.



BILLS BOARD



Evans to appear in NF

Buffalo Bills receiver Lee Evans will host his weekly radio show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Niagara Falls at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Evans’ show airs from 7 to 8 p.m. on WGR Sports Radio 550.



Jantzi honored

North Tonawanda’s Eric Jantzi was honored on the field for being one of 11 high school coaches chosen as Buffalo Bills high school coach of the week during this past season. The Bills donated $1,000 to the NT football program after Jantzi’s selection.



Counting the house

Another sellout, another chance for the 70,988 in attendance to boo until their lungs got sore. There’s just one game left in Orchard Park, and it doesn’t come until Dec. 28 against New England.



Podcast

Log on today to hear Bills beat reporter Jay Skurski, sports editor Tim Schmitt and WKBW-TV Ch. 7 sports director Jeff Russo break down Sunday’s game. Visit Niagara-Gazette.com.



Up next

O Canada, the Bills play their first regular-season game in Toronto, taking on Miami at 4 p.m. Sunday. There won’t be any snowballs thrown at Dolphins, though, as the game is in the Rogers Centre.