Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills are suddenly healthier. That might not be a completely fair statement, because, while they had a lengthy injury list to open Week 11, a lot of the names on that list were already on the road to being healthy and others seemed to be dealing with some minor bumps and bruises. Either way, on Thursday, 10 of the 14 players on the Bills’ injury list were full participants at practice.
We haven’t done this in awhile, so let’s take a look at who is trending in what direction.
Buffalo Bills trending up
CB Christian Benford (groin)
LB Terrel Bernard (ankle)
DE Joey Bosa (wrist)
DE A.J. Epenesa (concussion)
CB Taron Johnson (groin)
WR Joshua Palmer (knee/ankle)
DT Jordan Phillips (wrist)
LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring)
LB Dorian Williams (groin)
DT Jordan Sanders (knee)*
All of these names represent a full day of practice – a very good sign for Buffalo defense that has had more holes than they’ve been able to fill lately. Bosa will still play with a club on his hand, and it’s a good bet that could be something we see for the duration of the season. Bernard looked a little slow last week, so it’s hard to believe his ankle is 100% healed, but the Bills need him, so the defensive captain will play. Hopefully both Johnson and Bernard are back to full speed and it will be great for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, or head coach Sean McDermott (if he’s the one still calling the defense), to have a full array of linebackers to choose from Sunday.
Sanders is still on Injured Reserve (IR), although the Bills opened his practice window this week. Technically the rookie has two-and-a-half more weeks before Buffalo has to move him to the active roster, but he’s already had two full practices, and the defensive line is short on rotational players. While McDermott’s team is notorious for slowly easing players into the lineup, they broke from protocol and activated rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston after just one week of practice. The rookie has managed two interceptions in three games, so will the Bills look to follow suit with Sanders?
Buffalo Bills holding steady
DB Cam Lewis (calf)
WR Khalil Shakir (ankle/ribs)
Lewis and Shakir were limited at practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. If Johnson and Bernard are truly healthy, the Bills could have the option of letting Lewis rest a week. But that’s a big risk, as neither of the veterans have looked strong this season.
Shakir’s red, non-contract jersey could just be a precaution — something to keep the wide receiver from getting any more banged up. But not having him on the field Sunday will mean that offensive coordinator Joe Brady will have to dig a little deeper in his play book. The Bills are going to be without tight end Dalton Kincaid (read more about that below), and Shakir is Allen’s next favorite...
