Bills notebook
Bills notebook: A door opens for Dickinson
Dustin Dickinson knows only the alignment of Jason Peters’ holdout and Langston Walker’s forearm injury pushed him into extensive action with the first team at left tackle Wednesday.
Yet the Bills’ misfortune is Dickinson’s break, and a good showing in tonight’s exhibition finale against Detroit could help the undrafted rookie gain consideration for a place on the team.
“You look at it as a huge opportunity, but you can’t be overwhelmed by it,” Dickinson said. “It’s a chance to find a home and hopefully last somewhere.”
Dickinson, signed last week after being cut by Seattle, could receive significant time at left tackle in a game in which the team’s enduring health is the main concern.
The Bills need Walker, who did not practice again Wednesday with a bruised forearm and will likely be out tonight, and rookie Demetrius Bell to be at full strength heading into next week’s opener against Seattle. So Dickinson will simply be filling a hole on the line tonight.
There is plenty at stake, though, for a player whom coach Dick Jauron said “we like.”
Dickinson played right tackle and left guard in college at Houston — and in his first week with the Bills. Tonight, he looks to prove his versatility.
“I just have to get after it now,” Dickinson said.
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Rookie tight end Derek Fine is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his injured thumb Tuesday.
Fine, a fourth-round pick out of Kansas, injured the finger during Sunday night’s game at Indianapolis. The nature of the injury and an expected recovery time were unclear.
“It’s going to be a significant amount of time that he’s going to miss,” Jauron said. “But he hasn’t been put down in any way, shape or form, so we’re counting on him to come back.”
Backup Derek Schouman (knee) is also out indefinitely, leaving Robert Royal, Tim Massaquoi and Courtney Anderson as the team’s remaining healthy tight ends.
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Rookie wideout James Hardy said his hamstring feels fine and he’s ready to go tonight.
“I just want to come in and get the feel for it heading into the [regular season],” Hardy said.
Hardy, who did not play Sunday night after suffering a minor hamstring injury last week, smiled when asked if he’ll be able to instantly jump “back into the flow” of the offense.
“Oh, most definitely,” Hardy said. “I feel that’s why they brought me here. Even though the hamstring’s been a minor setback, [the rest] was just so I’d be prepared for the regular season opener.”
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Don’t expect to see much of the Lions’ key players tonight.
In Detroit’s game against Cleveland on Saturday, quarterback Jon Kitna and receivers Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams played only about a quarter. That time looks to further diminish in the final preseason game, with coach Rod Marinelli saying he will sit “a few” of his starters.”
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