Concerning update emerges from One Bills Drive ahead of highly-anticipated matchup against the Chiefs
Not the update fans were hoping to hear coming out of One Bills Drive.
The Buffalo Bills have an injury problem, and it’s continuing ahead of the upcoming showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Even after the bye week, heading into the contest against the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo was a little banged up and missing some key guys.
On Monday, head coach Sean McDermott ruled out defensive tackle Ed Oliver indefinitely, with the interior defensive lineman sharing an exciting update on social media nearly moments after. However, it doesn’t end with Oliver, and while it’s not indefinite injuries, Buffalo is affected by injury issues.
It’s been reported that defensive tackle DaQuan Jones didn’t practice, along with linebacker Shaq Thompson. Thompson wasn’t mentioned at all by McDermott on Wednesday, but popped up on the injury report nevertheless. On Thursday, Thompson wasn’t able to practice at all, putting into question his availability for Week 9. Thompson has been one of the bright spots of the defense, stepping up in a big way for the 2025 season.
Buffalo is looking a little shorthanded heading into Week 9
Another name to watch out for is wide receiver Josh Palmer. He has been considered week-to-week after suffering an injury during the Atlanta Falcons matchup, and hasn’t been back on the field on gamedays since.
A nagging ankle injury has kept him sidelined after a hip drop tackle that wasn’t flagged in the loss against Atlanta.
While he was only limited, and his status remains uncertain, it’s a positive sign to at least have one of quarterback Josh Allen’s best weapons back at practice. Never say never about his ability to get on the field for gameday. Personally, I never thought the Bills would activate and then play rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston so fast, but I was dead wrong, and the rookie looked good.
Still, the Bills are down another defensive tackle after Oliver’s injury, leaving that unit a bit shorthanded. The team still has one of the best at the position with rookie Deone Walker and Larry Ogunjobi returned to the Bills after serving a six-game suspension. Buffalo also signed defensive tackle Jordan Phillips to the active roster ahead of the game.
Really, all that’s left to do is wait for that position group. After two games, rookie defensive tackle T.J. Sanders will be eligible to have his 21-day practice window opened up, and Jones’ injury is considered week-to-week, so the Bills may have him back as early as the next game.
The team got back running back Ray Davis, who was battling through an illness, and kicker Matt Prater, who was limited with a calf injury. Not all bad news was coming out of One Bills Drive.
With one more practice remaining on Friday, all eyes are going to be on One Bills Drive and how they navigate the difficult injury situation they find themselves in. Especially going against quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ high-powered offense, having the defense at or near full health will go a long way toward success on Sunday.
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