Ankle injury may KO Bills' Lynch

FOXBOROUGH - Rookie running back Marshawn Lynch, a centerpiece of the Bills' offensive attack and the NFL's fifth-leading rusher, did not practice yesterday because of a sprained left ankle, putting his availability for Sunday's game against the Patriots in doubt.

"He's real sore; we'll just have to see as we move along here, but we're not particularly optimistic about it," Bills coach Dick Jauron said in a conference call.

Lynch, the 12th overall selection in the draft, has been one of the NFL's most productive rookies, rushing for 751 yards and a team-high six touchdowns and also throwing for a score. His 196 carries rank second in the league and reflect his importance to the Bills' offense.

Lynch sprained his ankle in last Sunday's 13-10 victory over the Dolphins. If he can't play, the Bills would likely turn to a combination of fourth-round draft choice Dwayne Wright (25 carries, 76 yards) and seven-year veteran Anthony Thomas (10 carries, 12 yards). Former NFL Europe player Fred Jackson (1 carry, 1 yard) would also get bumped up the depth chart.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick indicated his team will prepare as if Lynch will play.

"There is no rookie I have more respect for than what Lynch has done this year, in every phase of the game - running, passing, blitz pickup," Belichick said. "He's made a lot of tough yards, he's made a lot of yards in the open field, he's blocked well when he's been called on to do that. We have to be ready for everybody."

No hard feelings

Bills quarterback J.P. Losman changed his tune yesterday regarding the hit by Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork that knocked him out of the teams' Sept. 23 meeting.

Losman strained his knee on the play, and Wilfork was fined $12,500 for the hit that occurred on the first snap of the game. (Wilfork appealed his fine.) Four days later, Losman said the play "was pretty nasty. It looked like he had an opportunity to pull up. He's trying to make a play for his team and it's football, but I think he got off easy."

During yesterday's conference call, Losman indicated all is forgotten.

"I know he didn't mean it, I know it's a tough situation, and I'm sure people are giving him a hard time about it. There are no hard feelings," said Losman, who added that he has not spoken with Wilfork. "It's just a rough game. I understand that it's not something he was trying to do."

The injury knocked Losman out of the lineup for two weeks, and the Bills stuck with rookie Trent Edwards as their starter for two more games. But when Edwards hurt his wrist against the Jets Oct. 28, Losman came on and has led the team to three wins. So, for now, it's Losman's job.

Uncontrollable climate

Outside linebacker Mike Vrabel said the Patriots are not only preparing for cold, wet, and potentially snowy conditions in Buffalo, but also for a charged-up crowd. He was one of several players who cited the Bills' Monday night game Oct. 8 against the Cowboys - a 25-24 loss in which Ralph Wilson Stadium was buzzing - as the type of atmosphere the Patriots were expecting.

Added quarterback Tom Brady: "We've never been up there for a night game, but it looked like a raucous-type crowd, so we've got a lot to prepare for."

Belichick has stressed the adverse conditions and atmosphere to the players this week.

"You saw how they played against Dallas on Monday night. I'm sure it will be the same kind of intensity," Belichick said. "I'm sure there will be a lot of energy in the stadium and I hope we can match it."

Worn with pride

Defensive end Jarvis Green was handing out blue T-shirts in the locker room that read "New England's 60 minute men," with a large fist bursting through the middle of an American flag in the background. Playing 60 minutes has been a theme for the Patriots this season. The T-shirts were produced through Green's charitable foundation and will soon be sold at local retail stores, with portions of the proceeds going toward a trust fund for the son of late Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill . . . Safety Eugene Wilson, who has not played since Oct. 21 because of an ankle injury, remained out of practice . . . Inside linebacker Eric Alexander (knee) and safety Mel Mitchell (groin) also remained out of practice, while cornerback Eddie Jackson (knee) and guard Stephen Neal (shoulder) were among those who had limited participation . . . The Patriots were in full pads for the second practice in a row . . . Tight end Robert Royal (head) and defensive end Aaron Schobel (illness) did not practice for Buffalo . . . The Bills placed tight end Matt Murphy (calf) and cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas (groin) on injured reserve, making it a dozen Buffalo players who have been declared out for the season. The Bills filled the two open roster spots by signing tight ends Brad Cieslak and Tim Massaquoi, and promoted offensive lineman Christian Gaddis to their active roster.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.