PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) _ Quarterback J.P. Losman was held out for
the start of Buffalo Bills training camp Thursday after straining
his lower back working out this week.
Coach Dick Jauron listed Losman as day to day, but noted the
quarterback will be placed on the physically unable to perform list.
Losman can be activated off the list at any time.
``It won't have a lot of impact. Hopefully, it'll be very
short-lived and he'll be right back on the field,'' Jauron said
after the team held its first practice in suburban Rochester. ``I
don't know if deflating is a good term. I don't feel deflated. But
it wasn't expected, that's for sure. These things, as we know,
happen.''
Losman was experiencing a little stiffness, but added he would be
able to play if the Bills had a game this weekend. He said he was
more embarrassed to miss the start of camp from doing leg squats on
Tuesday.
``It's my fault. I was just probably a little too excited, too
energetic to get going to camp,'' Losman said. ``We're being extra
cautious. We're looking to get out there pretty soon.''
Wearing his practice jersey and sweat pants, Losman watched from
the sideline and did not take part in any individual or team drill.
Backup Craig Nall and rookie third-round draft pick Trent Edwards
took most of the snaps during the two-hour session.
The Bills hold two-a-day sessions through Saturday, before going
to a single practice routine for the rest of camp, which runs
through Aug. 22.
The injury is a minor setback for a player who was eager to pick
up where he left off last season, when Losman won the starting job
out of training camp and showed enough progress to keep the No. 1
job heading into this year.
The second of Buffalo's two 2004 first-round draft picks, Losman
went 5-4 down the stretch to help the team finish 7-9 last season.
Besides producing two fourth-quarter comeback victories in the last
half, Losman and the offence found its rhythm by producing 17 of its
28 touchdowns over the final seven games.
The Bills are expecting even more from their offence this year
after spending the off-season bolstering the line and because of
Losman's development.
``Everyone's fine. Everybody understands. Things like this
happen,'' Losman said. ``But I'll get back there real soon and
people won't remember this.''
