Bills at Lions: Week 15 damage designations

The Buffalo Bills are engaged on one much less day of apply than what could be most popular as they put together for his or her Week 15 match up with the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. A winter storm blew by means of Western New York prompting authorities to difficulty journey advisories on Thursday.

So, as a substitute of apply at One Bills Drive, the staff met just about. Not best when attempting to handle greater than a handful of accidents, and Friday’s damage report displays that.

Without getting therapy on Thursday, Buffalo’s injured gamers are somewhat behind of their rehab, leading to 9 of them coming into the weekend with damage designations. For the Lions, they’re in quite a bit higher form with only one participant being dominated out forward of Sunday.

Bills gamers dominated out forward of Week 15

Douglas’ collision ultimately zone late in final week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams did extra harm than simply placing factors on the scoreboard. Originally considering it was his again after the cornerback got here below pleasant hearth from security Taylor Rapp, the Bills labored to get him again out on the sphere rapidly. However, the actual damage was to Douglas’s knee — one thing which will have occurred from LA’s Cooper Kupp falling on him reasonably than the collision with Rapp.

With Rapp dominated out, the query for the Bills is who’ll be his alternative. Buffalo’s depth chart has Ja’Marcus Ingram, a third-year participant out of the University of Buffalo, listed as subsequent in line. But Kaiir Elam, the Bills’ 2022 first-round draft decide, is on the roster.

Unfortunately for Elam, head coach Sean McDermott has chosen to make him a wholesome scratch the previous couple of weeks indicating that perhaps the arrogance within the 23 12 months outdated isn’t there. The Bills even have Cam Lewis — one other former UB defensive again — on their roster. The downside with counting on Lewis is that he’s additionally a backup security, which is one other spot the place the Bills aren’t wholesome.

Bills gamers questionable forward of Week 15

• S Damar Hamlin (again/ribs)
• S Taylor Rapp (neck/shoulder)
• TE Dalton Kincaid (knee)
• TE Quintin Morris (shoulder/groin)
• DE Casey Toohill (ribs)
• T Tylan Grable (groin)
• DE Duwuane Smoot (wrist)
• LB Baylon Spector (calf)

With each Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp injured, Buffalo’s defensive secondary is in tough form. Is it excellent news that the Bills signed veteran Micah Hyde to their apply squad final week? Buffalo could also be counting on rookie Cole Bishop to exchange one among their two injured safeties, however Cam Lewis is the one different security on the energetic roster.

See the issue? Lewis can’t play beginning security and be accessible to sub in for a cornerback. Even if one of many two beginning safeties can play, they are going to be brief two gamers as substitutes and Lewis is just one — so, it’s just about a on condition that the Bills should name a security up from the apply squad.

The query is: Will it’s Hyde? Or will it’s Lewis Cine (who was referred to as up final week however didn’t play)? Or … will they want them each?

Along with the safeties, Buffalo has a pair of tight ends listed as questionable once more this week. Dalton Kincaid hasn’t performed since his damage in Week 11. He’s out of the crimson jersey, however he was final week as nicely. Last week Kincaid was restricted in apply, this week he’s been a full participant — in what little apply the Bills have been in a position to get in. Morris began final week restricted and ended it as a full participant. This week, like Kincaid, Morris has been a full participant. But with one walk-through and one digital apply, how a lot which means can be… questionable.

The closing three names above are all nonetheless on Injured Reserve. (IR). While they may play, the Bills is probably not able to do the roster strikes essential to make room for them. Then once more, with the accidents to different gamers, it could be essential. Saturday’s record of apply squad call-ups and roster additions will probably be fascinating.

Bills gamers with out an damage designation

Okay, technically that is the remainder of the roster. I do know. But importantly:

Coleman hasn’t performed soccer since his Week 9 collision with Miami Dolphins security Jordan Poyer. Buffalo opted to not place the rookie large receiver on IR, but he’s missed 4 video games anyway. The distinction: he was in a position to begin working towards after two weeks (and a bye). Had he been on IR he would have solely began working towards this week. Instead, he will probably be on the sphere catching passes in what may very well be one other offensive shootout for the Bills.

Lions gamers dominated out forward of Week 15

• LB Trevor Nowaske (concussion)

Detroit simply has one participant with an damage designation, and his damage will need to have occurred in apply. Linebacker Trevor Nowaske was not on the Lions’ apply report to begin the week, however after Thursday, he was listed as a non-participant with a concussion. Obviously, a day and a half isn’t lengthy sufficient to work by means of the league’s concussion protocol, and he’s been dominated out for Sunday.

Lions gamers not listed with an damage designation

• LT Taylor Decker (knee)
• DT Alim McNeill (concussion)
• DT DJ Reader (shoulder)
• DL Josh Paschal (knee)
• DL Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring)