Bryant's status is in question

It appears that Bucs WR Antonio Bryant has taken a step back in his recovery from preseason knee surgery.

Bryant did not participate in the team's workout at One Buc Place on Thursday, and his chances of playing Sunday at Buffalo are in question.

"I'm not in the business of anticipation," Coach Raheem Morris said when asked if Bryant would be ready for Sunday's game. "I'm in the business of guys showing up for work and playing."

Bryant had arthroscopic surgery in early August to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and he left the season-opening game against Dallas early because of knee fatigue. Bryant said after that game that he expected to play at Buffalo.

"It's not an injury," Morris said. "He's just hurt right now. We're not real concerned. We're just disappointed for his sake."

Morris said he will rely on trainer Todd Toriscelli to work with Bryant.

Others who missed practice, according to Morris, were C Jeff Faine (triceps), CB E.J. Biggers (shoulder) and DE Kyle Moore (groin). TE John Gilmore (ankle) and S Jermaine Phillips (calf) were limited.

Phillips said his appearance on the injury report is nothing to worry about.

"It ain't nothing," Phillips said. "I'll be playing Sunday."

New nickname?

Bucs RB Derrick Ward played in a backfield with the Giants last season that was so good it earned a nickname.

The wind element in the Giants' old "Earth, Wind and Fire" backfield believes the backfield he is in now with Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams will soon prove worthy of a nickname, too.

"I've already got a name for it, but we've got to put a couple more good games together before I bring it out," Ward said. "I'm going to keep it for about another game or two to see how we're doing, but you'll see. You'll like it."

Eager to bounce back

As one of the veterans on a young Buffalo defense, former University of South Florida standout LB Kawika Mitchell is eager to put Monday night's bitter 25-24 loss at New England in the rear-view mirror.

"I think it's up to the leadership," Mitchell said. "We have some players in there - including myself - that have a lot experience, and we need to let everybody know that you can't sit around and think about the last one. There's no time for it."

Pressure point

Amid the questions concerning Tampa Bay's dismal safety play and the lack of a consistent pass rush in the opener, Bucs linebackers will face a difficult challenge Sunday.

The Bills burned New England repeatedly with deft screens as RB Fred Jackson caught five passes for 83 yards.

"Buffalo did an excellent job," Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates said. "All the screens were well-executed and we'll have to be at the top of our game because that's a tough play to defend."

Extra points

Former Jesuit High standout Garrison Sanborn is the long snapper for Buffalo. Sanborn, who played for Florida State, was out of football last year, but won Buffalo's long-snapping job before this season. ... Sunday's game marks the first trip to Buffalo in franchise history. ... The Bucs are 10-0 when Williams has at least 22 carries. ... Buffalo's Trent Edwards hasn't been picked off in his last 148 pass attempts.

Roy Cummings, Ira Kaufman