The Buffalo Bills held a walkthrough practice on Thursday, which means that their second injury report of the week is an estimated report. It reflects how the players would have been classified had they conducted a full practice. The results? Mixed.
Here’s a look at how players are trending ahead of Week 2’s divisional game with the New York Jets.
Buffalo Bills trending up
- CB Christian Benford (groin)
- CB Brandon Codrington (knee)
- WR Keon Coleman (groin)
- RB James Cook (hamstring)
Everyone above was listed as a full participant. That’s especially good news for running back James Cook
who didn’t get much work in over the summer. He was seen coming out of the medical tent during the early part of last Sunday night’s game, but he was never listed as injured or taken off the field. If he can recuperate after just one extra day of rest, he’s in good shape to keep showing why he deserved that new contract he lobbied for this offseason.
Buffalo Bills holding steady
- CB Taron Johnson (quad)
- TE Dawson Knox (hip)
- DE Greg Rousseau (knee)
- LB Shaq Thomson (hip/hand)
- CB Tre’Davious White (groin)
Everyone from this group was listed as limited on Thursday. While that’s an uptick in categories for both Taron Johnson and Shaq Thompson, they aren’t quite in the clear yet. Having said that, if I had to make a call today, I believe only Dawson Knox and Tre’Davious White are at risk of missing playing time.
The Bills have mentioned being impressed with rookie Jackson Hawes’s abilities as a blocking tight end, and they have Dalton Kincaid. Knox is a luxury not a necessity, so I see him as on the bubble for Sunday.
With Christian Benford moving well and rookie Dorian Strong proving his ability to play with the first-string defense, White is my other guy on the bubble. Between his age and injury history, it’s best to remain cautious instead of rushing him back.
Buffalo Bills trending down
- DB Jordan Hancock (shoulder)
- DT Ed Oliver (ankle)
Okay, these two are listed here simply because they were not on the injury list for Wednesday. Ed Oliver’s injury seems very confusing to those around One Bills Drive but not directly involved in team operations. Oliver showed up on Thursday in a walking boot – one he was not wearing at his post-practice interview the day before. Oliver was seen wheeling around on a knee scooter but was also seen – without the scooter – playing multiple rounds of ping pong with teammates. The latest word on it sounds as if Oliver has an ankle injury. It will be interesting to hear what head coach Sean McDermott has to say in his morning press conference tomorrow.
As for the New York Jets, they had a similar report to the Bills today: plenty of guys progressing, a few holding steady, and then a couple of new – and concerning for them – names on today’s list.
The names that will move the needle for Bills fans trying predict the outcome of Week 2’s game are Sauce Gardner, Josh Reynolds, and Michael Carter II. Gardner and Reynolds showed up on Thursday’s list after not being listed the day before.
Reynolds, a nine-year veteran, had two receptions for a total of 18 yards in his Week 1 debut with the Jets, was a non-participant with a hamstring injury. Injured hamstrings heal differently when you’re 30 years old, so his availability will be an interesting watch over the next few days.
Gardner had two combined tackles and a pair of passes defended on Sunday. Now he’s limited with a groin injury. I would guess he will play. But I would also guess that wide receiver Keon Coleman is going to ask Josh Allen to give him some jump balls that will test Gardner’s health.
New York’s starting nickel, Michael Carter II, is dealing with a shoulder injury that has had him limited all week. I doubt he will miss getting the Week 2 start, however. Tomorrow’s practice, and subsequent game day designation list, will tell us more about how these rosters are stacking up for Sunday.
