Bills' Spikes could see action tonight

Cleveland may use Braylon Edwards and Willie McGinest in the game.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Takeo Spikes' leg feels as strong as ever. It's his mind that's suddenly unsure.
The Bills two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, out since Week 3 of last season, has wavered this past week on whether he'll test his surgically repaired right Achilles' tendon for the first time in live action when Buffalo (0-2) plays host to Cleveland (1-1) tonight (6 p.m., WYTV-33, WNCD-FM-93.3).
First Spikes said maybe, then he said no, now it's anyone's guess. That left coach Dick Jauron to list Spikes as a game-time decision on Friday, saying it's up to the player to make the call.
Spikes' response was guarded at best.
"If you want a statement, man," Spikes said before pausing. "It's a ... ahh, boy," he added, unable to finish the sentence.
Doesn't need to prove he's ready
Spikes then reiterated what he's said throughout training camp: he doesn't need a preseason game to prove he's ready for the regular season opener against New England Sept. 10.
The Bills, however, think otherwise.
Jauron suggested earlier this week it would be important to see Spikes play this preseason -- however briefly -- for him to get accustomed to game speed.
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell added he hoped Spikes can play this weekend to get accustomed to his teammates in a live game.
So will he or won't he?
"Stay tuned," as Spikes said earlier this week.
Spikes' uncertain status is but one subplot in what could be a significant game for both teams.
Could make debuts
The Browns haven't ruled out the possibility of receiver Braylon Edwards and linebacker Willie McGinest making their preseason debuts. Both are considered game-time decisions.
Edwards, Cleveland's first-round draft pick last year, is ahead of schedule after having reconstructive surgery in January to repair a torn right knee ligament.
Should Edwards play, it would mark the first time the Browns had their three top young offensive threats on the field at the same time. He would join quarterback Charlie Frye, who took over the starting job in December, and tight end Kellen Winslow, the Browns' 2004 first-round pick, who has missed most of the last two seasons because of injuries.
Browns coach Romeo Crennel wouldn't consider it a risk if Edwards played, noting it's important for the player and the team to see how he reacts to being hit.
"If he runs a crossing route and gets hit in the knee, we want to see him get up," Crennel said. "If he gets up from that, then he'll feel better about it and we'll feel better about it."
McGinest is a 13-year veteran, part of a high-profile group of free agents the Browns signed this off-season. He's been held out of Cleveland's first two preseason games to rest a tender elbow after he had off-season surgery to remove bone chips.
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