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[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo’s pass catchers still dealing with injuries as Week 8 begins

On Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills held their first practice of Week 8. It’s been 10 days since the Bills practiced and nine since they played football, yet the daily injury report is still a lengthy one.

The good news is that this year’s first-round draft pick, cornerback Maxwell Hairston, practiced for the first time since July. The Bills opened Hairston’s 21-day practice window, and he was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. It’s almost certain he won’t play this Sunday in Carolina, but it’s quite possible that we will see him on the field in early November.

Other good news for Buffalo’s defense is that linebacker Matt Milano was able to practice, although limited, on Wednesday. In Week 5, Milano aggravated a pectoral injury he had been previously dealing with. The setback kept him out of the Monday night game in Atlanta for Week 6 and had many wondering why the Bills didn’t place him on Injured Reserve (IR). However, it looks like the injury isn’t as severe as it could have been and maybe Buffalo just brought him back a week too early.

Unideal news is that despite not playing in that Week 6 game and having another week of rest thanks to the bye, neither tight end Dalton Kincaid or wide receiver Curtis Samuel have healed. While both were limited on Wednesday, it’s not great news that the two pass catchers are still not up to full strength.

The questionable nature around the availability of either Kincaid or Samuel is magnified by the fact that wide receiver Joshua Palmer was not able to practice due to a knee and ankle injury he suffered in Atlanta. The good news is that with plenty of time to evaluate him, Buffalo did not send Palmer to IR. However, one – or preferably more – of these three needs to be available on Sunday, and Palmer isn’t going to be the one.

Also not practicing on Wednesday were safety Taylor Rapp, who head coach Sean McDermott said has been dealing with a knee injury since training camp, and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones who injured his calf during pregame warm-ups in Week 6. If Rapp is out, it’s likely going to be another game for veteran safety Jordan Poyer.

The defensive tackle situation isn’t as clear. If Jones can’t go, the Bills will have to decide whether to use Jordan Phillips’ third and final elevation from the practice squad, or instead bring Phidarian Mathis up for the second time this season. Of course, they could do neither and just go with three defensive tackles on Sunday as Larry Ogunjobi is back on the active roster after serving his six-game suspension.

Linebacker Terrel Bernard was also limited on Wednesday. The Bills’ defensive captain injured an ankle the last week in Atlanta. He returned to play after the original injury. That news, combined with him practicing in some capacity now, would indicate that they may just be limiting him out of caution and that he could be available on Sunday.

As for the Carolina Panthers, it’s a short injury list. However, one of the three names on that list is significant.

Quarterback Bryce Young was injured in the Panthers’ Week 7 win over the New York Jets. It was reported that the third-year quarterback has a high ankle sprain, but he has made it clear that he wants to play Sunday. Young didn’t practice on Wednesday, but was seen on the field without a walking boot. Head coach Dave Canales said that the quarterback is doing everything in his power to be able to play on Sunday. If not, it will be Andy Dalton under center.

While Young wasn’t practicing, left guard Damien Lewis (who missed Week 7) was limited as he deals with a shoulder injury. The third Panther dealing with an injury this week is linebacker Princely Umanmielen. The outside ‘backer, who plays a depth role for Carolina, was limited with a rib injury.

While it’s just the first day of practice, the daily report gave us plenty of names to make sure we keep an eye on this week. Thursday will tell us a little more about who might be catching passes for the Bills and who might be throwing them for the Panthers.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-still-dealing-with-injuries-as-week-8-begins

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Chargers vs. Vikings ‘TNF’ Week 8 open thread

Let’s get to, Rumblers! Week 8 is upon us, kicking off this evening with an interconference matchup between the 4-3 Los Angeles Chargers and 3-3 Minnesota Vikings. Tonight, quarterback Justin Herbert and his lot look to defend their co-owned turf against backup quarterback Carson Wentz and the skol cry.

When it comes to Buffalo Bills rooting interests, you may be conflicted with this game. On one hand it makes sense to cheer on Minnesota to victory. Truthfully, that’s the smartest path for your three-hour fandom here, since it knocks the Chargers further behind the Bills. Yet, part of you may really want the Chiefs to suffer this season, such that they potentially don’t even make it to the postseason. If so, then obviously you want Los Angeles to win so as to keep the heat on Kansas City’s barbecue while staying ahead of them.

I’m not one to favor rooting on an AFC foe when it impacts Buffalo’s chances at postseason play. Currently, the Bills are in the fifth spot for AFC playoff seeding, with the Chargers just on their heels at a half game back. It’s not great if Buffalo has to play keep-up with LA just to earn a wild card spot. The Bills trail the New England Patriots in the AFC East thanks to the head-to-head matchup the Patriots have at this time.

Worrying about the Chiefs at this point is fruitless. Some might say worrying about rooting interests is the same if the Bills don’t get their act back together soon. But, at least if the Vikings win, it keeps the Chargers behind no matter the outcome of Buffalo’s Week 8 game against the Carolina Panthers. Besides, we’re going to root for Kansas City to lose Monday night anyways. Right?

So… Skooooooooooooooooool, Vikings!

With that, here’s your open thread for Week 8 of Thursday Night Football. As always, be kind to one another — and in all things… Go Bills! (Or is that Skol Bills tonight?)

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/119659/chargers-vs-vikings-tnf-week-8-open-thread

 

[Buffalo Bills]

5 Buffalo Bills to watch against Carolina Panthers

The Buffalo Bills have not lost three regular-season games in a row since 2018. They haven’t lost three games in a row period since the 2019 season, when they lost their final two games entering the playoffs before losing to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The Bills also have never lost following a bye week under head coach Sean McDermott.

Well, this week, the Bills face the Carolina Panthers. They’re coming off their bye week on a two-game losing streak. Will they continue their offensive tailspin? Will their defense continue to look lost and overpowered for long stretches of play? Or, will they do what they’ve done over the last few years, which is make adjustments, right the ship, and catapult themselves to a strong season overall?

We’re still a few days from finding out, but if they’re going to pick up an all-important victory on Sunday, they’ll need some big-time performances from their big-time players. Our five players to watch are below, but one quick note: I’m going to skip quarterback Josh Allen this week. We discuss him plenty in this space, and he’s obviously a key to success every time the Bills step on the field.

And with that, here’s our list.

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RB James Cook

Buffalo’s best offensive player not named Josh Allen is James Cook, who has developed into a superstar in his own right. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady needs to be creative in feeding him touches.

Buffalo is a team devoid of dynamic playmakers on the outside. Their best pass-catchers would likely be secondary options on most other elite teams in the NFL. Cook can also catch the football, and when he has the ball in the open field, he’s a threat to score from wherever he touches the pigskin.

Sometimes, people can look so hard for solutions that the obvious answers are hardest to find. This isn’t rocket science. The best players need the ball in their hands. Allen and Cook need to be the two guys driving this train. Give No.4 the rock on Sunday in a variety of ways and the offense should open up in the way we expect.

WR Khalil Shakir

While tight end Dalton Kincaid has been an as-advertised strong contributor, he’s dealing with an oblique injury right now. That leaves Shakir as Buffalo’s best receiver — and he’s arguably that anyway, even when Kincaid is healthy. There’s no reason why Shakir should have just five targets in a game where Kincaid isn’t playing, but that’s what happened when Buffalo lost to the Atlanta Falcons.

Brady needs to dial up some plays that allow Shakir to do what he does best, which is catch the ball quickly and make people miss in the open field. It doesn’t always have to be a quick screen to accomplish this. Shakir can run drag routes, slants, quick ins, and quick outs. Honestly, maybe Brady can go crazy and design some picks and rubs where he uses a bigger-bodied player like Tyrell Shavers to create some separation for Shakir to do damage over the middle.

This also isn’t rocket science. The best players need the ball in their hands. Giving No. 10 some targets early could help to open up others players later in the game.

DT Larry Ogunjobi

Larry Ogunjobi is one of two players coming off suspension, with the other being Michael Hoecht, who should make an immediate impact for the Bills’ defensive front. I think Ogunjobi is a bigger key to the game merely due to the position he plays and the state of the roster at this time. T.J. Sanders is on Injured Reserve, and DaQuan Jones is looking like he’ll miss the game thanks to a calf injury he suffered in warmups two weeks ago.

Even if the Bills bring up a player from the practice squad here, we have to assume that Ogunjobi is going to play plenty of snaps behind Deone Walker and Ed Oliver. If the veteran can come in and provide some juice (pun intended) up front, then the Bills might be able to slow Rico Dowdle and the potent Panthers rushing attack.

LB Shaq Thompson

Is the veteran Buffalo’s best linebacker right now? Yes, he is. That means that Shaq Thompson should see plenty of time on defense, and whether he sees time with Matt Milano or in place of Matt Milano, I’m not concerned.

Thompson has looked great against the run and better than expected in short zone coverage. He’s aggressively making reads, he’s hitting hard, and he’s not missing tons of tackles. Thompson filled in admirably for both Milano and Terrel Bernard at different points, and he’s also done a good job as the third linebacker with those two players — or with Dorian Williams when Milano has been hurt.

However we slice it, Thompson should play a big part in Sunday’s game when he returns to the place he called home for the first 10 years of his career.

CB Christian Benford

In Buffalo’s last game, Drake London torched the Bills for 10 catches, 158 yards, and one touchdown. Most of that production came in the first half. When Benford followed London in the second half, though, that production slowed. London caught just one pass for 11 yards after intermission.

If the Bills are going to play man, they need their top corner to shadow the opposing team’s top receiver. It’s not something the Bills usually do, but in this year’s defense, it needs to happen.

Tetairoa McMillan is Carolina’s top receiver. Benford needs to follow him. If he does, I think the Bills have a great shot at keeping Carolina’s offense bottled up for the day. If veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, who is likely to start for Bryce Young, sees Tre’Davious White lined up across from McMillan, then it likely won’t end well for the Bills.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...falo-bills-to-watch-against-carolina-panthers