Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said four players would not have taken part in Monday’s practice, with nine others only able to participate on a limited basis.
Because the Bills play the Houston Texans on Thursday night in Week 12, the team is on a short week after their Sunday afternoon game. As a result, Monday’s session was just a walkthrough, and all participation levels are estimates of what they would have been in a full practice.
If this report came on a normal Wednesday, the length of the injury list might be more alarming. But many of the names are veterans, so a day of full or partial rest early in the week isn’t unexpected.
Not expected to practice were tight end Dalton Kincaid and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, neither of whom practiced or played in Week 11. Wide receivers Mecole Hardman and Curtis Samuel were also projected as non-participants. Hardman hurt his calf on a muffed punt, while Samuel, who wasn’t flagged with an in-game issue, is now dealing with both neck and elbow injuries.
Limited participants included cornerback Christian Benford, linebacker Terrel Bernard, defensive end Joey Bosa, nickel corner Taron Johnson, wide receiver Joshua Palmer, and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. All were on last week’s injury report with varying practice levels but still suited up for Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, suggesting they mainly need recovery time. Safety Jordan Poyer and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones were also listed as limited due to veteran rest, along with linebacker Dorian Williams.
The more meaningful update will come on Tuesday. Even though that’s still earlier than a normal full workweek schedule, the Bills will need to get as many of these players on the field as possible as they ramp up for Thursday’s game in Houston.
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