Bills finally catch a break as Ed Oliver update changes outlook before playoff battle vs. Broncos
A much-needed boost for the defense at the perfect time for Buffalo.
The Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are nearing kickoff in the divisional round of the playoffs. The winner gets a chance to go to the AFC Championship game.
Ahead of the contest, head coach Sean McDermott has already ruled out safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring) and cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle), but it wasn’t all bad news coming out of One Bills Drive.
On Friday, the team activated wide receiver Curtis Samuel and defensive tackle Ed Oliver from injured reserve while elevating wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad.
Oliver’s return was surprising after tearing his biceps earlier in the season, but he seems to be a full-go for the contest. It’ll be his first action since Week 8. He’s been a one-man wrecking crew when he’s on the field, giving the defense a much-needed boost for the showdown versus the Broncos.
Samuel’s return gives quarterback Josh Allen another key weapon after losing three receivers in the span of a week in Gabe Davis, Tyrell Shavers, and Josh Palmer. The same could be said for Hardman Jr.; nevertheless, Allen is at least getting back some players who will be expected to take on bigger roles with the absence of Davis, Shavers, and Palmer.
The elevation for Gore Jr. had fans thinking that it could mean running back Ty Johnson would be unavailable after dealing with an ankle injury. The official inactive report confirmed the suspicions, as Buffalo will be down the “best third-down back in football” in a pivotal matchup.
Buffalo Bills official inactive report for AFC divisional round vs. Broncos
Rounding out the inactives for Buffalo include:
- S Jordan Poyer
- CB Maxwell Hairston
- LB Terrel Bernard
- OL Tylan Grable
- DT Phidarian Mathis
- TE Keleki Latu
- RB Ty Johnson
With the official inactive report released, Allen will have wide receivers Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks, Keon Coleman, Samuel, and Hardman as his receiving corps. Fortunately for the fanbase, Allen is also a full-go for the contest while battling through three different injuries leading up to Saturday.
Oliver’s return gives Buffalo’s defense a much-needed interior disruptor, adding pressure up the middle and tightening the margin for Denver’s offense in a win-or-go-home showdown.
Now, there are no more updates to wait on and no more roster moves incoming. The Bills know exactly who they have, who they don’t, and what’s being asked of them. Allen will once again be asked to elevate what’s around them, and Buffalo will have to lean on toughness, adaptability, and timely execution if it wants to punch its ticket to the AFC Championship. The margin is thin, the path is clear, and it’s time to see if this version of the Bills has enough left to keep the season alive.
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