Blake’s Future in Doubt With Bengals

The fate of quarterback Jeff Blake is a hot topic since the Cincinnati Bengals decided to start Neil O’Donnell in the season opener.

Some are wondering whether Blake, scheduled to make $1.5 million this season and $1 million next year, will remain with the Bengals or be cut this weekend to help reduce the roster to 53 players.

“We’re going to do what’s best for the team, and we’ll do it in a timely fashion. I don’t think that creates any problems,” Bengal President Mike Brown said.

Blake is scheduled to make $1.9 million this season and $2.15 million next year.

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Running back Robert Edwards, New England’s first-round pick, will be featured in the Patriots’ exhibition finale Saturday.

Edwards, the rookie running back from Georgia, missed three of the Patriots’ four exhibition games because of a left groin strain, but he should get the bulk of the work at tailback against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Linebacker Quentin Coryatt, fighting chest muscle pain for the past month because of a pectoral injury, will play today in the Indianapolis Colts final exhibition game against the Detroit Lions, Coach Jim Mora said.

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The San Diego Chargers released linebacker Toran James, whom the team selected during the seventh round of the 1997 draft. . . . The Buffalo Bills claimed kicker Cole Ford off waivers from the Oakland Raiders, the team said. Ford, a former USC kicker, connected on 13 of 22 field-goal attempts and 33 of 35 extra-point kicks for the Raiders last season.