NFL preseason: Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills
Terrell Owens will miss the Buffalo Bills’ preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Saturday – bet on the game at WagerWeb.com – because of a sprained toe that has prevented him from practicing all week.
Coach Dick Jauron ruled Owens out of Saturday’s game after practice Thursday night, saying the toe is healing but the team doesn’t want to take any chances with the receiver aggravating the injury.
“He is improving and improving quite a lot, but we don’t want to take any chances,” he said.
Owens says he expects to return to practice on Monday. He has out since jamming his toe in a 21-18 loss to Tennessee in the Hall of Fame game on Sunday. He had two catches for 27 yards in his Bills debut.
In a way, the Bills can be extra cautious with Owens because they started camp earlier than any other team and have five exhibition games instead of the normal four.
As for Chicago, the Bears will be without three starters in the secondary. Safety Danieal Manning, also the team’s primary kickoff returner, is dealing with a lingering hamstring injury. Corey Graham and Al Afalava are expected to pick up the slack on defense — Afalava at safety alongside Kevin Payne, Graham working at the nickel. Cornerbacks Charles Tillman (back surgery) and Zack Bowman (hamstring) for sure will sit.
Tight end Greg Olsen strained his hip Wednesday but intends to play. Chicago QB Jay Cutler, who may play a quarter, still has a cut on his left, non-throwing hand, but that shouldn’t affect his play Saturday. Of course Saturday’s game will be Cutler’s Chicago debut.
Olsen says the team is ready to face an opponent.
“Everyone’s excited for it,” he said. “Gives everyone a chance to finally play against someone other than our own guys. I think it’s going to go well for us.”
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