The Buffalo Bills just finished a very tough stretch of their schedule, and they did it while juggling injuries and playing roster-Jenga to keep the right personnel on the game day roster. Now they enter Week 10 as the league’s top team, the AFC’s number one seed and in control of their post-season destiny.
While the next couple of weeks, on paper, look a little easier than the last five, facing division rivals – regardless of their record – is never a walk in the park. However, Buffalo knows what
they are facing. They are as familiar with their opponent as possible. So, if they need to take an extra day or two to let some veterans get some rest, get the new guy up to speed, and let a few people work out the kinks, bumps, and bruises, this would be the time.
However, instead, the Bills listed everyone as participating in Wednesday’s first practice of the week.
Limited Participation
- OL Alec Anderson (ankle)
- CB Christian Benford (wrist)
- T Spencer Brown (ankle)
- T Dion Dawkins (rib)
- TE Dalton Kincaid (ankle)
- C Conner McGovern (neck)
Four of the Bills’ five starting offensive linemen are on this list. Not the best situation for you if your name is Josh Allen. But it’s good to know Anderson and Dawkins, who both missed Monday night in Minnesota, are on the mend. It’s also good – maybe – that Brown’s back isn’t an issue any longer. But sometimes a pain you know is easier to manage than one that’s new.
Buffalo signed guard Nick Broeker to the practice squad this morning. We thought that wasn’t a great sign for Anderson. Now it looks like the move may have had something to do with the fact that the entire O-line is banged up.
Full Participation
- DL Greg Gaines (calf)
- DB Jordan Hancock (IR)
- G Ar’maj Reed-Adams (back/elbow)
- DL T.J. Sanders (shoulder)
- WR Tyrell Shavers (PUP)
The Bills aren’t done performing roster gymnastics just because the trade deadline has passed. Both Hancock and Shavers are gearing up for a return to the 53-man roster. Buffalo has one more week to figure out what to do with Shavers and a few days later they will have to make room for Hancock. This will be something to keep our eyes on over the next week.
What to watch
It’s important to keep in mind that this was a walk through practice and these designations are what the training and coaching staff anticipates a player’s participation would have been had it been a full practice. The real test will come tomorrow. Pads, routes, coverages, the whole thing – that will definitely tell us more about how the Bills are looking ahead of their trip to MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
