Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Three defensive backs and a linebacker exited in the 34-25 loss to the New York Giants.’

‘”I think it’s good for Ray to get a little bit as an emergency kicker during the season, to get maybe a little small warm-up or maybe an extra point,” McDermott said. “See if we can score and get an extra point there for him.”’

‘Still, the consensus belief was that he would not even be in uniform Saturday, so whether this is a step in the direction of progress in his contract negotiation, we’ll have to wait and see, but this was at least a good sign.’

‘It was pretty clear that the coach is getting irritated by the running back’s continued absence.’

‘Johnson looked fantastic on the Giants’ opening drive, tackling tight end Daniel Bellinger on the first possession for no gain.’

‘Unlike their counterparts in Buffalo, Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, both of who are rock solid in their positions now into their ninth years, this is probably a make-or-break season for Daboll and Schoen in New York.’

‘If an Allen absence was short-lived, could Trubisky or White keep their heads above water and a win a game or two? Yes, but if it was a long-term absence, unless the defense played out of its mind and really carried the team, I think the Bills would be in significant trouble. That’s how much Allen means to the offense.’

‘He’s expected to handle kicking duties while starter Tyler Bass continues to recover from a pelvic injury that has sidelined him for eight straight practices. Head coach Sean McDermott said Thursday the team worked out two kickers on Thursday.’

‘“I’m in constant communication with Josh and part of it, too, is how he feels, but I also have to make sure I protect him the best that I can,” coach Sean McDermott said Thursday before the final practice. “He always wants to be out there, believe me, he does. I know this is not easy for him in that regard, but it’s the right thing to do.”’

‘Tyler Bass missed his eighth consecutive practice as he continues to deal with a pelvic injury, so on Wednesday the Bills auditioned two kickers, though McDermott did not say who, and as of Thursday morning no one has been signed.’

‘“I just told myself they’re not venomous, they can’t kill me with just biting me,” he said. “I was nervous going into it, but we got the first snake and there’s like six of us in our group and so once the dog would find it, we would surround it and kind of come up with a plan of attack.’

‘This does not necessarily mean his time with the Bills is done. They could always re-sign him when he’s healthy again, perhaps to the practice squad, but waiving him Wednesday feels like the Bills have decided to move on.’

‘The undrafted free agent wide receiver probably has no real chance to make the 53-man roster, but it certainly won’t be because he didn’t catch any passes in camp. Almost all of his reps have come against the second- and third-team defense, but there have been a few against the top unit, and one thing has been constant: He makes plays.’

‘”Last season’s heartbreak is gone,” the narrator Liev Schreiber says as the show closes. “These smiles are as genuine as the Bills’ prospects. Every team wants to win it all but that’s a long way off. Right now, it’s enough to put one foot in front of the other.”‘

‘Fans tuning into the show looking for juicy tidbits left disappointed.’