Buffalo Bills

The Bills were expecting big things from second-year RB Kar

los Williams after a promising rookie season in which he rushed for 517 yards and tied an NFL record with touchdowns in his first six games. But after a disappointing offseason and preseason in which his weight reportedly ballooned from 230 to 261 pounds and he was suspended for four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, Williams was released.

“I’ve always said this is a performance-based business,” Bills general manager Doug Whaley said. “He came in behind the 8-ball and never caught up. And there were other guys on the roster that moved ahead of him.”

Solid performances by rookie RB Jonathan Williams and veterans Reggie Bush and Mike

Gillislee convinced the Bills he was expendable.

On the same day Williams was cut, sixth-year DT Marcell Da

reus announced he would enter a rehabilitation center. The twotime Pro Bowl selection is suspended for the first four games for substance-abuse violations. There is no timetable for his return. Rookie watch: Undrafted LB Bryson Albright was impressive in a 21-0 win against the New York Giants in which Buffalo limited Eli Manning to a 59.5 rating and Giants running backs to 10 yards on eight first-half carries. Albright has a chance to make the team as a defensive reserve and special teamer.

Noteworthy: Ralph Wilson Stadium has been re-named New Era Field after the Buffalo-based company that is the world’s leading manufacturer of baseball caps. This is the stadium’s third name. Since its inception in 1973 through 1997, it was known as Rich Stadium, after Buffalo-based Rich Food Products. … QB Tyrod

Taylor looked sharp in his four series vs. New York, completing seven of 10 passes for 132 yards and one touchdown — a 59-yarder to TE Charles Clay.