Bills make emergency roster move as sudden injury could have forced their hand ahead of Chiefs game
Buffalo is going to be a little undermanned against the Chiefs.
One of the most highly anticipated matchups of the season is next up, featuring the Bills and Chiefs. Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen make for some must-see television, with Allen rising to the occasion in some of the best games of his career against the Chiefs.
Leading up to the game, Buffalo is looking a little shorthanded. Head coach Sean McDermott said that defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, wide receiver Josh Palmer, and linebacker Shaq Thompson are all out.
Not only that, but nickel cornerback Taron Johnson, one of the most underrated players in the league despite some up-and-down play this season, popped up on the report after suffering an injury during practice. If he isn’t able to compete, his absence will be felt.
The Bills elevated cornerback Dane Jackson and defensive tackle Phadarian Mathis from the practice squad, not giving fans much hope that Johnson would be activated. It’s not guaranteed he’ll be out, but Jackson’s elevation is interesting; it’s his first elevation of the season.
Injuries continue to pile up at One Bills Drive
Mathis being elevated is due to the lack of bodies the team has at defensive tackle. With Jones out and Ed Oliver ruled out indefinitely, Mathis will look to rotate in with the likes of Deone Walker, Larry Ogunjobi, and Jordan Phillips, who had just been signed to the active roster. The team also signed veteran safety Jordan Poyer in the same transaction as Phillips.
As for Johnson and his potential injury, the team could be using Jackson’s call-up on special teams to replace Cam Lewis, so that Lewis could get the reps in at the nickel corner position. Not a guarantee, as Lewis is a great special teams player.
Another exciting option is rookie Jordan Hancock, who could also play slot corner even though the team has used him as a safety. The fan base has been clamoring for him to see more playing time.
There were also rumblings of a potential wide receiver Gabe Davis call-up, but he got some inflammation at Thursday’s practice and did not practice on Friday. He wasn’t called up alongside Jackson and Mathis.
Buffalo will need to rely on its depth to pull through against one of the NFL’s most complete rosters. The injuries have tested the team’s resilience, but if history is any indication, Allen tends to save some of his best football for moments like this. Injuries or not, Bills-Chiefs always deliver.
Buffalo Bills News
Bills’ star gets hit with brutal news ahead of Chiefs game, and it’s going to cost him
Not the start to the weekend that Joey Bosa was hoping for.
