Bills have one urgent non-Von Miller injury to worry about
The Buffalo Bills absorbed a nasty liver punch on Wednesday when news broke on Von Miller being out for the rest of the season due to an ACL tear. While there will be no bigger news than that for the Bills this week, there's another injury that should be monitored very closely heading into Sunday's […]
The Buffalo Bills absorbed a nasty liver punch on Wednesday when news broke on Von Miller being out for the rest of the season due to an ACL tear.
While there will be no bigger news than that for the Bills this week, there's another injury that should be monitored very closely heading into Sunday's game versus the New York Jets.
When the Bills try to avenge their November loss, they could be doing so without starting left tackle Dion Dawkins. The Pro Bowler returned to practice on Wednesday after suffering a high ankle sprain but did so in a limited capacity.
His status for Sunday's game remains unclear.
Dawkins' presence on the field is invaluable for the Bills. Last week, backup tackle David Quessenberry gave up three pressures and two sacks in 35 pass blocking opportunities per Pro Football Focus.
To put it into context, Dawkins has given up three sacks all season long in 465 pass blocking opportunities.
The Bills would greatly benefit from getting Dawkins back before Sunday, especially because the New York Jets have one of the best pass rushing units in the NFL. According to Pro Football Reference, they rank 5th in pressure rate despite blitzing at the second lowest rate.
Allen was sacked five times by the Jets earlier this season, the third-highest mark in his career quarterbacking Buffalo. That adds some level of urgency for the Bills' starting left tackle.
Although the Bills have tougher rivals ahead in their schedule (like the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals), they know they can't take the fifth-best defense per DVOA any lightly. If Dawkins is ready to go versus the Jets, they must play him.
Featured image via David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
