Bills injury report leaves no doubt about a glaring offensive problem surfacing when Buffalo can least afford it
Injuries, injuries, and more injuries.
In the span of three days, Buffalo lost three receivers for the season. Head coach Sean McDermott shared the update on Tuesday that wide receiver Tyrell Shavers tore his ACL, ending his season. Miraculously, Shavers played through the injury in the second half against the Jaguars. Shavers is a true warrior, as praised by Buffalo’s head coach.
“He embodies what we’re all about,” McDermott said.
Josh Palmer was placed on IR ahead of the Jags game, and Gabe Davis tore his ACL in the win. The wide receiver unit was always the weakest; losing three players in a week is a glaring problem. They lacked separation, and now they lack depth. The injury bug has continued to sting the roster, dating back to before the season even began with cornerback Maxwell Hairston’s injury.
The official injury report tells the same story: next man up. Buffalo participated in a walk-through practice on Tuesday.
Buffalo Bills’ Tuesday injury report
| Player | Injury | T/W/Thu |
|---|---|---|
| QB Josh Allen | Foot/Knee/R Finger | Limited |
| LB Terrel Bernard | Calf | Limited |
| DE A.J. Epenesa | Neck | Limited |
| CB Maxwell Hairston | Ankle | DNP |
| S Damar Hamlin (IR) | Pectoral | Full |
| RB Ty Johnson | Ankle | DNP |
| TE Dalton Kincaid | Knee/Calf | Limited |
| LB Matt Milano | Ankle | Limited |
| DT Ed Oliver | Bicep | Limited |
| S Jordan Poyer | Hamstring | DNP |
| K Matt Prater | R Quad/R Calf | DNP |
| DE Greg Rousseau | Back | Limited |
| WR Curtis Samuel (IR) | Elbow | Full |
| WR Tyrell Shavers | Knee | DNP |
Buffalo Bills could be getting back some key pieces for divisional matchup vs. Broncos
So it wasn’t all bad news. Buffalo opened wide receiver Curtis Samuel’s 21-day practice window from the injured reserve, meaning there’s a chance he could play on Saturday. Buffalo could desperately use the bodies to help quarterback Josh Allen operate the offense. What’s more, the team also opened defensive tackle Ed Oliver’s window, another big piece that could be coming back.
Though it would appear that Samuel is much more likely to see some playing time than Oliver. McDermott has surprised us before, like when he opened Hairston’s 21-day practice window and started him in the same week; crazier things have happened.
Josh Allen opens up after loss to multiple receivers, discusses injury
Allen was beaten up during the win over the Jaguars, going to the blue medical tent on more than one occasion. His previous foot injury, a possible concussion, and his knee were brutal to watch. On Tuesday, as he said before, it’s all gravy.
“I feel good. I feel good,” Allen said. “Honestly, I feel better than I have the last few weeks. I know it’s a Tuesday for us, but on a Wednesday-type mindset, I feel good.”
The franchise quarterback is looking to the challenge ahead, while acknowledging the difficult situation the team is in with the latest string of injuries.
“Yeah, obviously, not an ideal situation, but I still trust that room completely,” Allen said. “Whoever we bring up needs to step up, and we have full confidence that they will. This week is going to be very important throughout the practices that we have, of making sure that we’re getting on the same page with timing and just understanding where guys can go. Try to utilize their strengths to the best of our abilities. But, I got no doubt that whoever is going to be up in those spots is going to do their job, step up, and help us make plays.”
Some big questions heading into Saturday
McDermott has already shared that safety Jordan Poyer isn’t expected to play, leaving Buffalo shorthanded in the secondary. It cannot be overstated how important Poyer has been, especially against the Jaguars. You could feel a noticeable difference when he was out of the game. That, and he’s been instrumental in safety Cole Bishop’s growth.
During the offseason, there were plenty of question marks surrounding the safety position, and Bishop has really turned things around.
Still, with injuries piling up across the roster, the spotlight inevitably shifts back to Allen. Once again, he will be asked to do more with less. Superman with no cape or boots, and only has half a pair of glasses. Allen is a different monster in the playoffs and will work with whatever he has at his disposal in hopes of pulling off the upset. Fortunately, he has running back James Cook at his disposal, who should have a much better game against Denver.
All eyes are going to be on One Bills Drive over the coming days to see how things shake out.
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