[Tommy]

Wed Aug 10, 2005

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports Buffalo Bills OG Ross Tucker returned to practice this week for the first time since undergoing off-season back surgery. Tucker will battle free agent signee OG Bennie Anderson for the starting left guard spot. In other injury news, OG Ben Sobieski (back) was placed on injured reserve Monday. OG Lawrence Smith (knee) will also be placed on injured reserve. Smith will have surgery to repair what's believed to be a torn right knee ligament suffered in Green Bay. On Tuesday, Tucker got most of the repetitions at center with the first unit as veteran C Trey Teague got some needed rest. Banged-up OG Chris Villarrial was also held out for the second practice in a row to rest, giving rookie C Duke Preston, who has been working at center, time with the first unit at right guard. Preston is the Bills' projected future center, but the coaches want him to know more than one interior position, giving them another swing player like Tucker. Preston hasn't played guard since high school. Tuesday was the first time QB J.P. Losman worked with Tucker, and there were some growing pains to work through.