The Bills’ QB has been dealing with the aftereffects of a mild concussion.
By The Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe is prepared to play this weekend despite experiencing a few lingering post-concussion symptoms after returning to practice on Friday.

“I feel a little fuzzy, but I’m going to go and play,” Bledsoe said, after taking all of the snaps with Buffalo’s starting unit in preparation for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands. Bledsoe had missed Thursday’s practice and left in the middle of Wednesday’s session complaining of dizziness, nausea and headaches.

They were the aftereffects of a mild concussion he sustained after being kneed in the back of the helmet at the end of a 5-yard run in the third quarter of last Sunday’s 17-14 loss to Indianapolis.

Bledsoe didn’t miss a play but followed up by missing his next three passes and getting sacked once before throwing a 13-yard completion to Bobby Shaw.

A neurological exam taken on Wednesday came back showing no problems.

Bledsoe was in an upbeat mood on Friday, joking that the fuzziness he’s feeling might allow him to play better than he has during a nine-game slump in which he’s thrown more interceptions – eight – than he has touchdowns – three.

“Maybe I’m off just enough to make some better decisions,” Bledsoe said, smiling.

Coach Gregg Williams, who originally blamed Bledsoe’s illness on a stomach virus, said the post-concussion symptoms weren’t diagnosed until after he spoke with the media on Wednesday.

Starting offensive guard Mike Pucillo’s status has been downgraded to questionable after missing his third straight practice. Pucillo sustained a turf toe injury in Sunday’s game. Backup Ross Tucker is expected to start in Pucillo’s place this weekend. Backup running back Sammy Morris’ status remained questionable after he missed his third straight practice with a strained left knee.

AP-ES-11-28-03 1426EST