The Buffalo Bills are entering Week 5 on shaky ground after a narrow victory over the New Orleans Saints. Injuries continue to pile up, with several key players already sidelined last week. Offensive lineman Spencer Brown, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, and linebacker Matt Milano all missed the Saints matchup, which contributed to Buffalo’s struggles both offensively and defensively.
On Tuesday, the Bills released their injury report ahead of their divisional clash with the New England Patriots. The most surprising update was the addition of rookie tight end Jackson Hawes, who is dealing with an ankle injury. Hawes has quickly become an important target for Josh Allen and is currently rated as the top rookie by Pro Football Focus. Though limited in practice, his presence is crucial for Buffalo’s passing attack.
Linebacker Dorian Williams was the only player who did not practice at all due to a knee issue. His absence is particularly concerning since he has been filling in for Milano. If he cannot play, the Bills may be forced to rely on deeper depth chart options like Joe Andreessen or Shaq Thompson.
Head coach Sean McDermott described Brown, Milano, and Oliver as day-to-day, noting that their availability will depend on how they progress throughout the week. Oliver originally injured his ankle when it was stepped on during practice ahead of Week 2. However, rumors recently surfaced suggesting he was hurt after falling off a horse. Oliver quickly shut that down, clarifying that his ankle injury came from practice and not from any off-field incident.
While Oliver laughed about the horse story, the situation isn’t a joke for Buffalo. With a critical division game against New England approaching, the Bills can’t afford to be short-handed. Every starter matters, and the team’s health this week could be the deciding factor in whether they extend their strong start to the season. Unsurprisingly, many Bills fans are frustrated with the mounting injuries and worry that the team may struggle to keep up momentum if so many key players remain unavailable.
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