ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills rookie Trent Edwards will make his third straight start on Sunday when Buffalo hosts the Baltimore Ravens, leading to questions about whether J.P. Losman will ever get his job back.
Coach Dick Jauron made the announcement Wednesday, but wouldn't commit to a full-time starter beyond this weekend. Edwards is a rookie third-round draft pick who has gone 1-1 in two starts in place of Losman, who has resumed practice and appeared ready to return after spraining his left knee.
"(Edwards) is our starting quarterback this week, and we'll move on from there," Jauron said.
Jauron then sidestepped several questions about the future.
"We're just talking about this week. We're not going to talk about anything beyond it so maybe we can save some time here because that's how I'm going to answer it," he said.
Jauron added that Losman was still rusty, having taken part in only three practices before Wednesday. And he said he wanted more continuity because Edwards started the past two games.
Jauron said he consulted with his coaches, general manager Marv Levy and team owner Ralph Wilson, but maintained that the final decision was his.
Losman is healthy enough, though, to serve as the Bills backup against Baltimore.
The Bills (1-4) are coming off their bye week and trying to rebound from a 25-24 loss to Dallas that saw Buffalo squander an 8-point lead in the final 20 seconds.
Losman has been out since he was injured during the first series of a 38-7 loss at New England in Week 3. He said after practice that while he feels healthy enough to play, he accepted Jauron's decision to sit him out for at least one more week.
Losman said he wasn't told what his status will be beyond this weekend.
Edwards has produced better numbers, although Losman faced Denver and Pittsburgh, teams that currently rank among the NFL's stingiest pass defenses this season.
Edwards has proven more efficient, going 45-of-59 for 410 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. But he and the offense struggled in the loss to Dallas on Oct. 8, managing only a field goal despite four drives inside the Cowboys 40.
The Ravens (4-2) are going with backup Kyle Boller for a second straight week to give Steve McNair two more weeks -- Baltimore is off the following weekend -- to recuperate from a nagging groin injury.
Edwards found out about the decision on Tuesday and was excited about the opportunity.
"It's exciting, but it's a lot of responsibility," Edwards said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us this week."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
