In the Buffalo Bills second preseason game, veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a pretty scary on-field incident. Fighting for a first down after a catch, rookie Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson came in for the tackle and collided with Valdes-Scantling, who went to the ground and stayed down for a good amount of time.

After several minutes, he was able to get up and gingerly get to the sidelines with the help of trainers. He was ruled out of the game with a neck injury. After making it to the sidelines, he was taken by cart into the locker room.

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Marquez Valdes-Scantling escaped a scary situation with a neck sprain

Fortunately for Valdes-Scantling and the Bills, it looks as though the injury was pretty minor.

#Bills WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling suffered a neck sprain in Saturday’s preseason game, per source. X-rays were negative. Good news overall for a key piece of Buffalo’s remodeled receiver group.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 18, 2024

It still remains to be seen how this will impact his availability throughout the course of the coming week, and ultimately, the final preseason game, but it's good nonetheless that the injury wasn't anything more substantial.

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Valdes-Scantling needs to make up some ground in wide receiver competition

Valdes-Scantling has been having a rough go of it, dropping his only target in the first preseason game, and failing to make an impact in the second preseason game before leaving with the neck injury. That injury might just be the nail in the coffin for his chances of making the 53-man roster, despite his veteran status and the off-field connection that he has built with Josh Allen. 

The Bills will likely carry six wide receivers into the regular season, with the trio of Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel locked in at the top. After them, it seems as though Mack Hollins is in line for the fourth spot. Tyrell Shavers, K.J. Hamler, and Andy Isabella are likely the biggest competition for Valdes-Scantling, with two of the four likely making the roster. Hamler's special teams abilities make him an interesting candidate.

If Valdes-Scantling is unable to get on the field over this final week of training camp before the third preseason game, it will mean more reps going to the previously mentioned options. Valdes-Scantling's standing is on very thin ice. 

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These guys are making a real push for the roster.

Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.