Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills won an important Week 9 game. They had a very decisive victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, but it came at a cost. As Week 10’s practices opened on Wednesday, the Bills’ injury report had an awful lot of DNPs on it. That’s not good news as they need another division win over the Miami Dolphins this week.
Among those not practicing on Wednesday were nickel cornerback Taron Johnson, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, and linebacker Shaq Thompson. No one really expected any of them to practice as they’re dealing with lingering injuries. And, of course, defensive end Michael Hoecht is now on Injured Reserve (IR) after he tore his Achilles in Sunday’s win. That’s a huge blow as Buffalo’s pass rush has been better since he returned from his league-imposed six-game suspension.
However, also not practicing were defensive ends Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa, and also James Cook III. All three missed Wednesday’s practice session due to injuries sustained Sunday.
James Cook’s injury came early last Sunday, as he had his ankle rolled up on by a Kansas City Chiefs defender in the game’s first drive. Cook was seen on the sideline having his foot taped while the Bills capped off their opening drive with a Josh Allen-to-Dalton-Kincaid touchdown pass. After Buffalo’s second offensive drive of the game stalled, Cook was again seen getting a his right ankle/foot re-wrapped.
The Week 8 AFC Offensive Player of the Week was assumed to be okay as he finished the game, racking up yet another 100-yard effort – his fifth of the season. Cook is the only running back in the league averaging over 100 yards per game this year. Now, however, he’s sidelined with something that (we can only hope) just needs some rest.
Joey Bosa has a wrist injury. Honestly, looking back over game film, you can find Bosa shaking out and/or grasping at his left wrist for the past two weeks. In Sunday’s home win, he was seen landing on it, grabbing at it over and over, but quickly sending the Bills’ sideline a thumbs up, indicating he had absolutely no intentions of exiting the game.
The wrist injury, to whatever extent it is, hasn’t slowed the 30-year-old defensive end down. Bosa had a pair of tackles and another sack on Sunday as he moved his season totals to 19 tackles, four sacks, and four forced fumbles. Bosa started Week 9 with a veteran rest day, and, hopefully, this is along those lines as well.
A.J. Epenesa was one of Sunday’s unsung heroes. While his stat lines don’t show anything, the pressure he put on quarterback Patrick Mahomes – including a big hit as Mahomes stood near the sideline to release a cross-field pass – was monumental in keeping the Chiefs’ offense off balance at the most crucial times. Epenesa, who is now in the league’s concussion protocol, will be a name to watch over the next two days as the Bills prepare for their...
