PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Bills starting center Melvin Fowler is expected to miss Buffalo's preseason game against Atlanta on Friday because of a sore left ankle.
Fowler missed his second straight practice Thursday and coach Dick Jauron said the team will be cautious on whether to allow him to play. If Fowler can't play, the Bills (1-0) will go with reserve center/guard Duke Preston in their preseason home-opener.
Reserve defensive tackle John McCargo (left ankle) is expected to play after he returned to practice. Starting outside linebacker Angelo Crowell (left knee) has been limited in practice the past two days and it's uncertain whether he'll play.
Jauron said reserve offensive linemen Brad Butler (hamstring) and Aaron Merz (shoulder) are out. Rookie free agent safety Trevor Hooper (possible concussion) is also out because he's not yet been cleared to practice after he was hurt in a 13-10 preseason-opening win at New Orleans last week.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
