FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who broke his right wrist on the fourth day of training camp and didn't return to practice until Thursday, was inactive for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Bruschi was the NFL's co-Comeback Player of the Year last season with Carolina's Steve Smith after playing in 10 games despite an offseason stroke. But he missed all four exhibition games.

Coincidentally, Smith was inactive for the Panthers in their game against Atlanta

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -Buffalo Bills strong safety Matt Bowen missed his third consecutive practice on Friday, meaning its unlikely he'll play in Buffalo's season opener against New England on Sunday.

However, he officially remains questionable on the team's injury list with a lower right leg injury sustained in the first preseason game against Carolina.

If Bowen can't play, coach Dick Jauron said rookie Donte Whitner, the team's first-round draft pick, and Coy Wire will see action.

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The inside linebacker, who broke his wrist on the fourth day of training camp July 31, was listed on the team's injury report as questionable for Sunday's home game against the Buffalo Bills.

Bruschi, entering his 11th season, missed the first six games last year after suffering a stroke the previous February. After he broke his wrist, the Patriots signed 17-year veteran Junior Seau to play inside linebacker four days after he announc

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -J.P. Losman won't have long to show how much he's matured after earning his second chance at the Buffalo Bills' starting job.

Test No. 1: The New England Patriots and a defense that contributed to Losman's worst performance last season.

``Of course, I'm always thinking about Sunday,'' Losman said Wednesday, referring to the season-opener at New England. ``I've been thinking about it for a long time, especially a second chance at this particular team.''

How could he forget?

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -Amid the losing and infighting, linebacker London Fletcher reached a breaking point last year. The Buffalo Bills' season couldn't end fast enough.

``I think last year was probably my most frustrating year in professional football,'' said Fletcher, an eight-year veteran. ``I was just like, `Man, let me get this nightmare over with because it's just one thing after another.'''

To understand where the Bills are in preparing for their opener at New England on Sunday, it's importan

But offensive coordinators don't throw out their entire playbooks when they go from one team to another, so the Steelers are bound to see some familiar features in Mike Mularkey's Dolphins offense.

Mularkey was the Buffalo Bills' head coach for two years before being hired by coach Nick Saban as offensive coordinator. Before that, he was a Steelers assistant for eight seasons, including three as offensive coordinator from 2001-03.

Mularkey is best known for opening up the

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -C.J. Leak was supposed to be helping his younger brother Chris, quarterback of the seventh-ranked Florida Gators, prepare to play Central Florida this weekend when suddenly plans changed.

The Buffalo Bills came calling, signing C.J. Leak to their practice squad Monday after he spent the past year working as a Gators administrative assistant.

And for those keeping track, Leak was signed as a tight end, one of four positions he played during a star-crossed college career that sp

BUFFALO BILLS-Released WR Jonathan Smith, WR George Wilson, OL Greg Jerman, OL Justin Geisinger, DB Eric King, DB Rashad Baker, RB Lionel Gates, CB Eric Bassey, TE Brad Cieslak, LB Liam Ezekiel, FB Jon Goldsberry, DL Jason Hall, LB Wendell Hunter, RB Fred Jackson

18. Pittsburgh Steelers 880 25.5

19. New York Jets 876 33.1

20. St. Louis Rams 841 33.2

21. Detroit Lions 839 16.1

22. Indianapolis Colts 837 25.0

23. Cincinnati Bengals 825 20.9

24. Arizona Cardinals 789 16.6

25. Buffalo Bills 756 31.2

26. Jacksonville Jaguars 744 22.5

27. New Orleans Saints 738 -4.1

28. Oakland Raiders 736 9.1

29. San Francisco 49ers 734 11.8

30. San Diego Chargers 731 24.8

31. Atlanta Falcons 730 6.6

32. Minnesota Vikings 720 16.3

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Some wonder if Rogers will be cut Saturday, two days after the preseason finale at home against the Buffalo Bills. The former Michigan State star matter-of-factly said he will be with the Lions next week.

``It's just confidence,'' Rogers said after practice Wednesday. ``You have to believe and stay positive. I think I will be here.''

First-year coach Rod Ma