Bills Injury Report: Concerning last-second addition could spell disaster for Week 5, and Ed Oliver shuts down wild injury rumor
A less than ideal start to the week for the Buffalo Bills.
The Buffalo Bills are coming off a way-too-close-for-comfort victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. Buffalo was a bit banged up for that game, though, with offensive lineman Spencer Brown, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, and linebacker Matt Milano all ruled out.
Some huge pieces on both sides of the ball going down were less than ideal, and the team struggled because of it. Brown is instrumental in protecting quarterback Josh Allen in the pocket, while also being dominant as a run blocker. For Oliver and Milano, their absence helped allow the Saints to run roughshod on the Bills all game, leaving fans eager for their return to the field.
On Tuesday, Buffalo released its injury report heading into the Week 5 showdown against the New England Patriots, with a surprise addition in tight end Jackson Hawes. Once again, some key injuries to both sides of the football days ahead of the contest
Buffalo Bills’ Tuesday injury report
| Player | Injury | W/T/F | Designation |
| OL Spencer Brown | Calf | Limited/NA.NA | |
| TE Jackson Hawes | Ankle | Limited/NA/NA | |
| LB Matt Milano | Pectoral | Limited/NA/NA | |
| DT Ed Oliver | Ankle | Limited/NA/NA | |
| LB Dorian Williams | Knee | Limited/NA/NA |
Observations
Hawes’ addition was the biggest note, and it wasn’t something that head coach Sean McDermott discussed before practice. There’s been no word on the severity of Hawes’ injury, but it’s a promising sign to see that he was at least limited.
Hawes is the No. 1 rated rookie according to Pro Football Focus, and his rise on the offense has been one of the bigger storylines through the early parts of the season. Hawes finds himself becoming a reliable target for Allen, adding a few catches and even a touchdown to boot through four weeks.
Linebacker Dorian Williams was the only player who didn’t practice while dealing with a knee injury. His absence is worrisome, as he serves as a replacement for Milano, and that could force Buffalo to go even further down the depth chart to linebacker Joe Andreessen or Shaq Thompson to fill in if he were to miss time.
The jury is out on whether the team will have Brown, Hawes, Milano, Oliver, or Williams for the upcoming contest. McDermott expressed that Brown, Milano, and Oliver were all day-to-day, and the team would assess their progress throughout the week.
Oliver had gotten injured ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets when a player stepped on his ankle. However, a wild rumor was making the rounds that Oliver actually fell off his horse. Immediately after practice, Oliver dispelled any notion that it was a horse-related injury.
“I heard I fell off a horse, a horse hurt me. I heard all kinds of stuff,” Oliver said. “But I can promise you somebody stepped on me at practice.”
Oliver can laugh off the horse talk, but fans won’t be laughing if the Bills head into Sunday still short-handed. Against a division rival, regardless of the record, every starter counts.
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