BILLS
OC Roman fired
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman on Friday in a bid to kick start their sputtering Tyrod Taylor-led attack.
The team announced the move in an email released a day after Buffalo fell to 0-2 following a 37-31 loss to the New York Jets.
Roman was in his second season as coordinator, and was hired by head Coach Rex Ryan when he took over the team in January 2015.
Running backs coach Anthony Lynn will take over as coordinator. Lynn also serves as an assistant head coach and has spent the past eight years working under Ryan.
The Bills' offense is off to a sputtering start. It managed just 160 yards -- Buffalo's lowest total in a decade -- in a season-opening 13-7 loss at Baltimore on Sunday. Against the Jets, the Bills had 307 yards offense, with more than half that coming on two plays: Taylor's 84-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Goodwin and a 74-yard TD pass to Greg Salas.
Otherwise, Buffalo managed 16 first downs, had one drive reach the red zone, and converted 3 of 10 third-down chances.
That's not what was counted on from a unit that returned mostly intact and was expected to be more comfortable with Roman's philosophies and playbook. Instead, Taylor has looked hesitant in the pocket and has had difficulty finding receivers over the middle.
Roman was highly regarded by the Bills when he was hired. He was among the candidates who interviewed for head coach before owners Terry and Kim Pegula hired Ryan.
Roman's dismissal is the latest in a series of shuffles Ryan has made to his staff.
In January, he hired his twin brother Rob to be an assistant head coach with a specific responsibility for defense. In March, defensive line coach Karl Dunbar was fired and replaced by John Blake.
RAMS
Goff selected backup QB
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- No. 1 overall draft pick Jared Goff will be the Los Angeles Rams' backup quarterback in their home opener Sunday against Seattle.
Coach Jeff Fisher made the announcement Friday after the Rams' final practice of the week.
Goff wasn't in uniform for the Rams' 28-0 loss at San Francisco in their season opener Monday. Sean Mannion served as the backup to Case Keenum, who went 17 for 35 for 130 yards with two interceptions.
Keenum is still the starter, but Fisher said the team is confident Goff would be ready to play if needed.
Goff went 22 for 49 with two touchdown passes and two interceptions in the preseason with the Rams, who had the NFL's worst offense last season.
PACKERS
CB Shields doubtful
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers have listed Sam Shields as doubtful for Sunday's game against Minnesota after the team's top cornerback was evaluated this week for a concussion.
Shields, who has been in the NFL's concussion protocol, hasn't practiced since getting hurt late in last week's season-opening win at Jacksonville.
Shields also missed four games late last season because of a concussion.
Reserve Josh Hawkins has already been declared out with a hamstring injury, leaving the Packers with three healthy cornerbacks in Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and LaDarius Gunter.
Micah Hyde figures to play an even bigger role on defense as the Packers' utility defensive back.
Safety Chris Banjo and linebacker Jayrone Elliott are also listed as doubtful with hamstring injuries.
VIKINGS
QB still a mystery
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have ruled two starters out against Green Bay due to knee injuries, defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
The team is still trying to be secretive about its starting quarterback for Sunday, even though all signs have been pointing toward Sam Bradford making his debut. Coach Mike Zimmer declined again on Friday to confirm his decision, after Shaun Hill took the snaps in the season opener.
"It is ..." Zimmer said after practice with mock suspense, "we'll find out Sunday."
The coach said he believes Bradford is ready to start.
"He could," Zimmer said, before flashing a sly smile. "Shaun's ready, too."
The Vikings acquired Bradford nearly two weeks ago in a trade with Philadelphia for two premium draft picks, including their first-round selection in 2017, but Hill started the opener at Tennessee. The 15-year veteran fared relatively well in the 25-16 victory, completing 18 of 33 passes for 236 yards without a sack or a turnover, but Bradford was obviously not brought in to be a backup.
"He comes in pretty early in the morning and stays late," Zimmer said. "He's worked enough to get ready."
Coaches and players have raved about Bradford's ability to be a quick study in the offense.
"I think it gets better every day," Bradford said earlier this week.
LIONS
LB Levy still injured
DeAndre Levy is dealing with his third injury in the 13 months since he signed a four-year, $33.7 million contract extension, but Detroit Lions Coach Jim Caldwell insisted Friday that he's not worried about his star linebacker's recent injury history.
Levy missed his third consecutive practice Friday with a quadriceps injury and has played in parts of just two games since he signed his new contract in August 2015.
He's officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, even though defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Thursday that he expects Levy to play.
Last year, Levy missed 15 games with a hip injury that eventually required surgery, and he opened training camp this year on the nonfootball injury list because of a knee problem.
Levy started and played all 70 defensive snaps in last weekend's season-opening victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
The Lions have practiced this week with just four healthy linebackers: Starters Tahir Whitehead and Kyle Van Noy and backups Antwione Williams and Thurston Armbrister.
Williams, a rookie fifth-round pick out of Georgia Southern, likely will start at weakside linebacker if Levy can't play Sunday, and Van Noy will join Whitehead on the field in nickel packages.
The Lions also have linebacker Steve Longa on the practice squad if they need to make a roster move before Sunday's game.
Sports on 09/17/2016