Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo heads to Indiana a bit short-handed
The Buffalo Bills take on the Indianapolis Colts today in an AFC matchup with plenty of playoff implications. For the Bills, it’s a chance to cement their first 8-2 start since the 1993 season, which is also the last time they made a Super Bowl. Coincidentally, Buffalo achieved that 8-2 record by earning a win over the Colts just one week before they were set to face the Kansas City Chiefs.
For the Colts, this game is a chance to keep their playoff hopes in a good place. Their record sits at 4-5, and a .500 record sounds a lot better than slipping to 4-6 on the 2024 season. Currently, Indianapolis sits eighth in the AFC, one game behind the Denver Broncos for the final Wild Card spot.
Each team is dealing with some key injuries this week, with Buffalo’s injury report reading like a CVS receipt and the Colts down a huge target, literally and figuratively, in their passing attack.
Here are the inactive players for today’s game.
“Sledge” is out for the second straight week. Buffalo managed without a fullback last week, but given how short-handed they are on offense this week combined with how poor the Indianapolis run defense is, this could be a bigger deal than it would be in other weeks.
One of two wideouts elevated from the practice squad, Hamler is a healthy scratch. That mean the Bills will go with Tyrell Shavers as the active player up from the practice squad.
Head coach Sean McDermott ruled Coleman out thanks to the wrist injury he suffered last week on an illegal hit from Miami Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer. The rookie has come on of late, catching 10 passes on 16 targets for 216 yards and a touchdown in his last three games. Mack Hollins will likely start in his place.
When Buffalo called up both K.J. Hamler and Tyrell Shavers from the practice squad even after signing Jalen Virgil to the 53-man roster, we assumed that multiple wideouts would miss this one. Cooper, who is also dealing with a wrist injury, will miss his second consecutive game.
Nothing to see here, as the veteran offensive lineman remains a healthy scratch.
The rookie is a healthy scratch once again, even after the Bills placed Baylon Spector on injured reserve thanks to a calf injury he suffered this week in practice. Joe Andreessen and Nicholas Morrow are the reserve linebackers.
Here are the inactive players for the Colts. Michael Pittman Jr. is out.
