ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone was vague Wednesday on how he would utilize running backs Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown on Sunday against the New York Jets.

They will be taking over for injured C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson.

“You know, I don’t really know that yet,” Marrone said. “It’s not like we sit down and we say that. We’re going to look at practice and set the plan and see where it goes.

“A lot of times that’s dictated by the things that go on in the game also, depending on what your plan is. I really can’t say how we want to do it right now. Hopefully, whatever way we do it is productive.”

It would seem that Dixon will get the start and probably get the bulk of the work since he has been active all seven games to date. Brown will be active for the first time Sunday. Of course, Brown is probably the more explosive player — he has three 100-yard games to his credit in two years with Philadelphia — and he’ll have fresh legs.

“I ran out there first today, but me and Bryce are gonna kinda do it together, as a combination,” Dixon said. “That’s pretty much how we’re going to get it down. We’re gonna compete this week and see who’s got the feel for the plays that coach wants to run, and then on Sunday we’re gonna go with it.”

The Bills have turned to Chris Hogan to be their slot receiver, and Hogan made one of the biggest plays in Buffalo’s victory over Minnesota last week.

His leaping 28-yard reception at the 2-yard-line set up Sammy Watkins’ winning TD with one second remaining. Hogan, who lost a fumble early in the game in the red zone, finished with five catches for 63 yards.

“I give Chris a lot of credit,” Marrone said. “Now the question is do you keep improving and keep being consistent throughout the year, because that’s the case with all of these players that are just getting their opportunities and being able to play.”

It’s no surprise that Hogan has begun to emerge since Kyle Orton was elevated to starting quarterback. All 12 of Hogan’s receptions (for 162 yards with one touchdown) have been delivered by Orton, who became the starter three weeks ago in Detroit.

When Orton arrived in late August, Hogan was deeper on the depth chart, and they formed a connection working on the scout team as Orton learned the offense.

“Between me and him, when he first got here, he was doing some scout team stuff with me, and that gave us a little more time to get more associated with each other; how he throws the ball, how I run routes, so that’s definitely helped,” Hogan said.

“Kyle and I have a pretty good chemistry. He trusts me on the field to know what I’m supposed to do. I’m getting pretty good separation from the DBs and catching a few passes here and there, so that has a lot to do with the playing time I’m getting now.”

The player Hogan has supplanted is veteran Mike Williams, who was inactive for the Week 6 game against New England, then played only five offensive snaps against Minnesota.

“I’m actually behind a lot of guys,” Williams said. “I think Chris Hogan is just one of the guys. I’m just out there doing what they tell me to do. If they put me ninth string again, I guess that’s where I’m gonna be at.”

Williams has just eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown this season, his first with the Bills.