Notebook
Bills Would Like to Play In Canada
Denver wide receiver Javon Walker learned that he'll miss multiple weeks after undergoing surgery in Houston on his right knee, which has bothered him since a 2005 injury.
(Mark Leffingwell - Reuters)
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Friday, October 19, 2007
The Buffalo Bills announced yesterday that they're seeking approval to play a preseason game in Toronto next summer and a regular season game in the Canadian city as early as 2009.
The games would be played at Rogers Center, formerly called SkyDome.
The Bills' lease requires them to receive county and state approval to play any home games away from Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills sent a letter to Erie County on Wednesday seeking such approval.
The Bills indicated they're seeking to play the games to improve their regional appeal to fans, not as a precursor to a possible franchise relocation. Owner Ralph Wilson has said the league's new labor and revenue-sharing deals will make it difficult for franchises to survive in small markets such as Buffalo, but he also has indicated he does not want to move the team.
The games also would have to be approved by the league. Such approval would be likely, with the NFL seeking to improve its international appeal and planning to schedule regular season games outside the country annually. The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins are scheduled to play in London later this month.
BRONCOS: Denver will be without wide receiver Javon Walker for several weeks because of knee surgery. Walker is scheduled to undergo the procedure today in Houston. The surgery is on Walker's right knee, the one in which he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the opening game of the 2005 season while with the Packers.
TITANS: Quarterback Vince Young did some throwing but sat out practice for a second straight day because of his strained quadriceps muscle. It remained unclear if he'll play Sunday at Houston.
COWBOYS: Suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson is eligible to begin practicing with the team today. Johnson has two games remaining on his eight-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell imposed the suspension, he made it reviewable after six games, but he has not yet reduced it.
49ERS: Quarterback Alex Smith won't start Sunday, Coach Mike Nolan announced. Nolan indicated that he doesn't believe Smith is ready to return to the lineup three weeks after suffering a separated right shoulder. Trent Dilfer is to remain the starter.
RAVENS: Tight end Todd Heap is unlikely to play at Buffalo on Sunday, according to Coach Brian Billick. Heap, who injured his hamstring against Cleveland on Sept. 30, has not practiced this week. Daniel Wilcox (foot) is also sidelined, which means the Ravens could have just one healthy tight end (Quinn Sypniewski) for the third straight game. Billick left open the possibility of promoting Lee Vickers from the practice squad or using center/guard Chris Chester, who played tight end at Oklahoma.
