The Sports Xchange

The Buffalo Bills’ dinged-up receiving corps received a boost Friday when Sammy Watkins (glute soreness), Robert Woods (hip), Percy Harvin (hip) and Chris Hogan (knee) were all listed as probable for Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Running back LeSean McCoy, who has been battling a sore hamstring, was also listed as probable and will play, although it remains to be seen if his touches will be limited. Defensive end Mario Edwards (calf) was also listed as probable.

Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin was ruled out as expected with a rib injury, and linebacker Tony Steward will also sit out while recovering from a knee injury.

Coach Rex Ryan said Corbin Bryant will start in place of suspended Marcel Dareus.

–Ryan said he still has “full confidence” in kicker Dan Carpenter, who missed half of his six field-goal attempts during the preseason.

“You gotta have skin like an armadillo to be a kicker, he has that,” Ryan said. “He knows he’s kicking this week so we’ll see, but I will say this – he’s kicked better.

“For some reason, maybe it’s game time and all that stuff and kickers are little different sometimes. I remember Matt Stover, my gosh sometimes couldn’t make a kick, and then you go into the real game, he doesn’t miss them. So… and Dan’s proven that he’s that kind of kicker. He can kick here, he can kick in the conditions so I just want to make sure that he’s ready and I think he’s ready to go.”

Ryan wasn’t yet certain whether kickoff specialist Jordan Gay will be active Sunday.

“I think we’re the only team in the league with one but he better be great at it,” Ryan said. “So when he’s…I don’t know what his numbers but they’re as high up as anybody’s in the league. Haven’t made my mind up if we’re gonna go in with the extra kickoff guy or not but certainly have him on a team for those purposes.”

–Like almost every coach in the NFL on Friday, Ryan was asked if he has ever had issues with his headset during a game following the controversy in Thursday night’s game in which the Pittsburgh Steelers were hearing the Patriots’ radio broadcast through much of the first half. Ryan didn’t feed into the controversy.

“Throughout my time I’ve had some problems with the headset, but I don’t recall what stadium or anything,” he said.