ORCHARD PARK – The Buffalo Bills were nearly as healthy a squad as they were when they played the Jets in September, when they kicked off the season. That was evident when they hit the field in Miami last weekend.
UPDATE: Monday’s Bills vs. Steelers playoff game must be rescheduled due to weather: Things to be aware about
As of Week 18, there were just four players on the injured reserve list who were anticipated to play significant roles in 2024: Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano, Damien Harris, and Jordan Phillips. This is an unusually low number. Additionally, after center Mitch Morse was cleared to play following a brief illness, they had no players listed as questionable for their matchup against the Dolphins. Yes, none at all.
Against the Steelers, Buffalo may be without four important players.
But in the cruel NFL, things can change quickly, and as of this Sunday afternoon, when the AFC wild-card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos takes place at Highmark Stadium, the injury report is very different.
Against the Steelers, Buffalo may be without four important players.
But in the cruel NFL, things can change quickly, and as of this Sunday afternoon, when the AFC wild-card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos takes place at Highmark Stadium, the injury report is very different.
During Buffalo’s hard-fought 21-14 AFC East victory over the Dolphins, five players were injured; it is quite possible that these players will wear some form of tag when the game begins on Sunday.
Security While making his game-winning interception, Taylor Rapp damaged his calf. However, four other players were injured in the first half and were unable to return.
According to reports, linebacker Tyrel Dodson hurt his shoulder, running back Ty Johnson had a concussion, cornerback Rasul Douglas hurt his knee, and wide receiver Gabe Davis sprained the PCL ligament in his knee. Their availability for the game will be decided on a day-by-day basis, and none of them took part in the walk-through practice on Wednesday.
Indeed, how about being a little healthier than that? Sure, replied head coach Sean McDermott. “We’ve been dealing with it honestly for the majority of the year; we found a solution, and we’ll keep doing that.”
Although the Bills have improved in the latter part of the season, McDermott is right that they have had their fair share of injury issues. True, there are just four men on IR.
The good news is that those absences have been well-covered by the Bills’ playoff-caliber depth, and numerous reserves might be used against the Steelers.
Trent Sherfield is expected to step in if Davis is unable to travel, as he did against Miami, where he caught three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown in addition to running some brilliant routes that created space for other receivers.
Jackson performed admirably in replacing Douglas; unheralded Baylon Spector, who had played just six defensive snaps all season, performed remarkably well in Dodson’s place while playing 19 snaps. When Johnson was injured, Leonard Fournette took over as the starting backup back.
