Talks are progressing nicely on a contract extension for WR Lee Evans and an announcement of a deal could come soon, both parties said. Evans is scheduled to become a free agent in 2009 and in Thursday's 24-21 preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Toronto, he showed why Buffalo wants to keep that from occurring. In two series of work, Evans caught three passes for 55 yards, including a 23-yard reception from QB Trent Edwards on Buffalo's first offensive play, a deep out against 6-2 CB Ike Taylor, who feared Evans' speed and gave him a wide berth for Evans to make a quick cut for an easy deep sideline catch. That play has to be in every offense's arsenal and Evans and Edwards pulled it off effortlessly, sparking a 10-play TD drive.
--RB Marshawn Lynch, who isn't speaking with the media following his hit-and-run incident during the offseason, rushed five times for 25 yards against Pittsburgh and added one catch for eight.
--WR Josh Reed missed his second exhibition game with a lower back injury. There's no word on his expected return.
--SS Donte Whitner, who sat out the team's opening preseason game at Washington with an ankle problem, returned to the lineup against Pittsburgh and recorded a nice interception. Whitner has emerged as the team's defensive leader and is poised for a big year.
--LB Angelo Crowell sat out the Pittsburgh game with an injured knee.
--LB Keith Ellison, who earned nine emergency starts last season, got the call against Pittsburgh in place of Angelo Crowell (knee) and notched three tackles.
--LT Jason Peters remains a holdout and is subject to a fine of $15,000 a day. Peters, the offensive line's only Pro Bowl player, wants to be the highest-paid blocker on the team. He's currently the third highest.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK
Fred Jackson vs. Dwayne Wright, Xavier Omon and Bruce Hall at backup RB -- This is Jackson's job to lose behind Marshawn Lynch after his big 2007 season, but Wright and Omon are making things interesting. Each averaged 4.4 yards per carry in last Thursday's preseason win over Pittsburgh, with Wright ripping off a 16-yard carry and Omon a 14-yarder. Wright hurt his cause, though, with another fumble. Jackson had five carries for 18 yards (3.6 average) and added three catches for 10 yards. Ultimately, the Bills will keep their best athletes at this position and there's a lot of skill here to mull over.
OTHER BATTLE FRONTS
Chris Ellis vs. Copeland Bryan for backup DE job -- The rookie Ellis had a sack and forced fumble against the Steelers while Bryan was dressed but didn't see any action. That's not a good thing when fighting for a roster spot. Ellis is flashing a nice skill set.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TE Robert Royal -- The affable veteran had a quiet offseason, unable to take part in work after knee surgery then running second team behind Derek Schouman for much of training camp. That all changed in Thursday's 24-21 preseason victory over Pittsburgh when Royal started and capped two drives with touchdown catches of seven and 13 yards, reasserting himself as the team's starter.
ROOKIE REPORT
CB Leodis McKelvin had a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Pittsburgh, ensuring that he'll be a major part of the team's return game this season even with the presence of record-setting veterans Terrence McGee and Roscoe Parrish. ... WR James Hardy started his second game with veteran Josh Reed (back) out, but had a quiet night with no catches. The Steelers did respect his presence in the red zone, however, and that paid off on one TD series. At this juncture, he's likely to be the team's opening-day starter. ... DE Chris Ellis received ample playing time with the second and third units and notched a sack and forced fumble on Byron Leftwich. ... CB Reggie Corner had two tackles on defense and continues to look good on special teams coverage. ... TE Derrick Fine played but had no catches. ... RB Xavier Omon had a team-high 10 carries for 44 yards, including a long run of 14, and is making some noise. ... OL Demetrius Bell saw some action against Pittsburgh and continues to fight for a backup job. ... WR Steve Johnson played but had no catches.
INJURY REPORT
WR Josh Reed (lower back), LB Angelo Crowell (knee), OT Matt Murphy (shoulder), TE Tim Massaquoi (groin) each sat out the Steelers game. Each is working toward a return to practice soon, but no timetables are set.
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