Shaq to be a game time decision SundayBills pass rusher Shaq Lawson was limited in practice on Thursday after a groin injury cropped up during practice. Head coach Sean McDermott said Lawson will not practice here on Friday, and his status for playing against the Falcons Sunday will go right up until the time when inactive players are declared 90 minutes before the game.
"Shaq will more than likely be a game time decision," said McDermott. "With Shaq from what I've been told it's a short-term issue. Like every injury though there's no crystal ball, but we feel it's just something we have to continue to work through over the next couple of days."
If Lawson can't play Ryan Davis and Eddie Yarbrough would be the primary players to fill the void at left defensive end.
Dawkins likely to start again at LTFor the second straight week the signs are not promising that Cordy Glenn will be able to suit up on Sunday. Glenn did not practice at all this week with ankle and foot issues with both his left and right foot. McDermott said it's unlikely that Glenn will be available for Sunday's game in Atlanta.
That means that rookie Dion Dawkins will make his second career start at left tackle.
"I'm confident in Dion (Dawkins) and he's only going to continue to get better," said McDermott. "Just like the rest of our team. That's what we're focused on is continuous improvement, whether it's Dion or anyone else for that matter. Myself included. The good part about it is we've got a young guy here already who has a significant number of snaps under his belt at left tackle. He's had some time at right tackle."
The good news for Dawkins is he might be facing a backup himself if Atlanta's starting right defensive end Courtney Upshaw can't play. He hasn't been able to practice this week due to ankle and knee injuries. Upshaw missed the Falcons game last week against Detroit.
Derrick Shelby started in Upshaw's place last week.
Dareus looking good for Sunday's gameIt looks as though the Denver game will be the only one missed by Marcell Dareus with his ankle injury. After practicing on a limited basis Wednesday, Dareus was a full participant Thursday. It has McDermott relatively confident that Dareus will be able to start on Sunday.
"He had a good practice (Thursday). He's going to continue to do his treatment and practice. So, without a setback at this point I expect him to play."
McDermott isn't looking for anything special from Dareus after he missed last week's game. He just wants an honest effort from him.
"He needs to be focused on what's important which is coming out and playing his best brand of football that he can play just as we have to do as a team," McDermott said. "So, this is a step in the right direction and we'll carry that momentum with us moving forward."
"I love football," said Dareus. "This is the time of the year I've known my whole life just to be grinding. Just to be out there with these guys, finishing out the year the best way possible."
