Buffalo Rumblings
With plenty of pass catchers unavailable for both quarterbacks, it could make for an interesting game
The Buffalo Bills have one final game before their late-season bye in Week 12. Buffalo hosts the Kansas City Chiefs later this afternoon at Highmark Stadium, and while the goal is to win, there has to be a portion of One Bills Drive that’s saying “just stay healthy.”
As has seemed to be the case the past several years, the injury bug has been a hard one to get out of Buffalo’s locker room. On the potential bright side is the thought that this year’s earlier-than-usual arrival may mean a stronger postseason appearance by the Bills.
But that’s still seven weeks away, so here in Week 11, Buffalo will play without two of their starting pass catchers with another listed as questionable. The offense is also in jeopardy of playing without its starting right tackle, and his backup is on Injured Reserve (IR). Also on IR are key pieces of their defense including a defensive tackle, a defensive end, and their starting outside linebacker.
The Chiefs have a slew of players on their own IR list, including a defensive end, wide receivers, a running back, and now their kicker. However, with the exception of Harrison Butker, the Chiefs have been operating without their full roster for much of the season and anyone on their inactive list this afternoon will be a healthy scratch.
Just the same, here’s a look at how injuries could impact the outcome of Week 11.
Injured Bills: T Spencer Brown (questionable), WR Keon Coleman (OUT), WR Amari Cooper (questionable), TE Dalton Kincaid (OUT), OT Tylan Grable (IR)
Injured Chiefs: DE Charles Omenihu (IR), CB Jaylen Watson (IR)
The Bills started the 2024 season with no clear-cut WR1, perhaps not even a WR2. However, offensive coordinator Joe Brady said that in Buffalo “everybody eats” and that he had confidence in the starting wide receivers in the room. That lasted until mid-October when Buffalo squeaked by the New York Jets with a 23-20 victory. The next day, general manager Brandon Beane made a trade with the Cleveland Browns to bring Amari Cooper to Buffalo. While Cooper didn’t instantly become WR1 — at least not if you ask Brady — his presence made things much easier on the younger pass catchers in Buffalo.
However, after just a game and a half in a Bills uniform Cooper found himself sidelined with a wrist injury. He may make his return today, but it’s going to be a game-time decision. The fact that Buffalo did not elevate a wide receiver from the practice squad this week is a good sign that Cooper will at least attempt to catch passes from Josh Allen on Sunday. That’s promising even if he’s doing it with a cast on his left wrist.
Even if Cooper plays, the Bills will be without rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman. After finally getting in...
