ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills overcame another series of preseason distractions to beat the New York Giants 21-0 in a preseason game Saturday.

Taylor zipped a 13-yard touchdown pass over the middle to LeSean McCoy to cap his fourth and final series. Backup EJ Manuel then secured the win by leading two touchdown drives on an afternoon that began with Buffalo cutting backup running back Karlos Williams and announcing defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was entering a rehabilitation clinic.

The Bills gave up on Williams, who reported to training camp out of shape and was also suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Williams scored nine touchdowns and finished with 517 yards rushing as a rookie last season.

Dareus’ decision to seek help came four days after Buffalo’s top-paid player was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy for a second consecutive season.

Dareus was suspended for the first four games this season. General Manager Doug Whaley said he didn’t know when Dareus would check into a rehab facility or how long the process would take.

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For the Giants, quarterback Eli Manning and receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s preseason debuts failed to provide any boost, a week following a 27-10 loss to Miami.

Manning completed 4 of 9 passes for 44 yards in four series, in which New York had 33 yards of offense and one first down. Beckham made one catch for 33 yards and was targeted three times.

PANTHERS 26, TITANS 16: Cam Newton threw for 162 yards and led scoring drives on two of his four series as Carolina won at Nashville, Tennessee.

The game was delayed 30 minutes because of lightning late in the third quarter.

Newton was 8 of 12 before leaving midway through the second quarter. He opened the game by leading a 93-yard drive that included Ted Ginn Jr.’s 61-yard touchdown reception.

Ginn caught Newton’s pass about 10 yards downfield. Antwon Blake missed a tackle as soon as the catch was made, then Ginn outraced the other Titans to the end zone.

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That opening series also featured two completions to Kelvin Benjamin, who missed the 2015 season because of a torn left anterior cruciate ligament after catching 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns his rookie season.

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota directed three series and went 9 of 10 for 104 yards with one touchdown and an interception. On his final pass, Mariota rolled right and found Harry Douglas in the right corner of the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown.

NOTES

CHARGERS: San Diego put two players on injured reserve after they were hurt in Friday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Tight end Jeff Cumberland (left Achilles) and guard Donavan Clark (right knee) suffered season-ending injuries in San Diego’s 19-3 win.

Cumberland was fighting for a roster spot at a deep position. Clark’s status had risen of late with his improved play.

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VIKINGS: Coach Mike Zimmer says he has no concern about quarterback Teddy Bridgewater after holding him out of the second preseason game as an injury precaution.

Zimmer said Bridgewater could have played Thursday at Seattle, but the coach decided to keep him out. ESPN.com reported that Bridgewater has a sore shoulder.

Bridgewater practiced in full pads Saturday but didn’t throw a pass.

FALCONS: Atlanta re-signed veteran kicker Shayne Graham, who played five games with the team in 2015.

Regular kicker Matt Bryant was held out of Thursday night’s preseason win at Cleveland because of leg tightness.


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