The Buffalo Bills may be without both starting offensive tackles on Sunday when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers and their strong pass rush. Right tackle Spencer Brown left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury and did not practice Wednesday. Joining him on the injured list was left tackle Dion Dawkins, who has entered the concussion protocol.
In order to exit the protocol in time for Sunday’s game, Dawkins will need to be a limited participant on Thursday and a full participant on Friday to have
a shot at playing Sunday. Players must participate in one full-contact practice and pass a review with the independent neurologist to be cleared.
If one tackle can’t go, Ryan Van Demark has stepped in every time either has missed a snap. If both tackles can’t go, Alec Anderson would likely be the next man up. Chase Lundt could be active for his first game of the season in that case.
The Bills opened the 21-day practice window for Tylan Grable this week, as well, but he has been on IR since the preseason with his own concussion. It’s likely he has been healthy for a while, but the team wanted to stash him on IR for the season. He hasn’t practiced since camp, so it feels like a big ask to put him in the lineup.
The Bills offensive line already appeared to not be on the same page in Weeks 11 and 12, with the offense dropping the ball multiple times this season.
One week after giving up the most sacks of Josh Allen in his entire career, the offensive line’s job won’t get easier against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have forced the second-most turnovers in the NFL this season on the back of their pass rush. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are a dynamite tandem on the outside and four players have 10+ QB hits this season. Pittsburgh is fifth in the league in sacks (ahead of Houston!).
Oh yeah, and Josh Allen hurt his elbow last week and is still sore.
