So, the Buffalo Bills played in yet another “game of the year” on Sunday afternoon, and, this time, they were on the better end of the 48-42 score. Unfortunately, along with the win, they picked up a couple of more injuries. While the new injuries may seem minor (in the sense that no one is headed to the Injured Reserve), with just three weeks until the NFL Playoffs, anything causes loss of playing time is worrisome.
The Bills’s final three games of the 2024 season are against divisional opponents, and, despite what records teams may have, divisional games are different than any other game. So, as the Bills prepare to host the New England Patriots in a game that the network flexed to the later afternoon slot, keeping an eye on injuries may be key.
Here’s a first look at this week’s injury reports. Note it was a walkthrough practice so the injury report is estimated.
New Buffalo Bills names on the Week 16 Injury List
- OT Spencer Brown (neck)
- LB Matt Milano (groin)
- WR Curtis Samuel (rib)
- LB Dorian WIlliams (elbow)
The good news about this list is that everyone practiced. Spencer Brown was a full participant despite picking up a neck injury on Sunday; everyone else was limited. Dorian Williams injured his elbow early in Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, but he returned to the field when Matt Milano went out – albeit with a large brace on his elbow.
Another angle of the Dorian Williams L elbow inj.
Still looks like it’s a hyperextension injury, gets it caught between the Lions player & Bernard falls into him.
Was able to return with it heavily taped, using arm in locker room after.
Chance of missing next game, not certain https://t.co/EhNTj8F13M pic.twitter.com/UzudHFmxFW
— Banged Up Bills (@BangedUpBills) December 16, 2024
Matt Milano has only been active for three weeks after returning from biceps surgery in August. An added injury to his growing repertoire is not ideal as he looked to be finally getting his football feet back under him. However, limited is better than not practicing.
#Bills Matt Milano groin injury
This was his last play before Spector came in.
Can see Milano stumble & fall at 2 different angles, didn’t return.
End zone or sideline view may show us better angles tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/j3GrllirdC
— Banged Up Bills (@BangedUpBills) December 16, 2024
As for Curtis Samuel, the wide receiver can’t stay healthy at all – he’s had a toe, foot, shoulder, and pectoral injury this season. Now it’s his ribs. Samuel took a hit on a catch just short of the goal line in the second quarter on Sunday – thankfully, both Dalton Kincaid and Keon Coleman were back in uniform though, so Josh Allen had no shortage of targets to choose from on his way to another AFC Offensive Player of the Week performance.
Buffalo Bills players now off injury list in Week 16
- WR Keon Coleman (previous designation: wrist)
- OL Tylan Grable (previous designation: groin)
- S Taylor Rapp (previous designation: shoulder)*
- WR Curtis Samuel (previous designation: foot)*
- LB Baylon Spector (previous designation: calf)
Keon Coleman’s wrist is officially healed. Today is the first time since October that we haven’t had to wonder how the rookie wide receiver would progress and if he would be on the game day active list.
*These players are still on the injury list – they are just no longer being treated for these specific injuries. As stated above, Samuel traded his foot injury for a rib one. Rapp is still getting treatment for a neck injury, but the shoulder injury he had been dealing with as well is no longer a factor.
Buffalo Bills players on the Week 16 injury list in need of monitoring
- CB Rasul Douglas (knee)
- S Damar Hamlin (rib)
- S Taylor Rapp (neck)
None of these players were active on Sunday, but Buffalo’s back-up secondary rose to the occasion – at least in the first quarter, which was long enough for them to build a lead they would never relinquish. Now they are all limited in practice – which is a good sign that they are progressing forward. Hamlin’s back injury has been more localized as a rib injury now while Rapp is dealing with just one injury instead of multiple.
It’s too early to start guessing as to whether the trio of defensive backs will be ready to play Sunday. It would be great to see one or more of them upgraded to a full participant in the next two days, but for now, we will have to just keep monitoring the Bills’ injury reports.
Buffalo Bills players who are status quo on Week 16 injury list
- DT DeWayne Carter (wrist)
- WR Amari Cooper (wrist)
- TE Dalton Kincaid (knee)
- LB Matt Milano (biceps)
- TE Quintin Morris (shoulder/Groin)
- DE Duwuane Smoot (wrist)
This list of players are all just receiving some type of treatment for their various ailments. With the exception of Milano, none of them have missed any practice time – and Milano’s limited practice is not due to his biceps injury as he was a full participant the past couple of weeks.
Patriots players not practicing
- S Kyle Dugger (ankle/illness)
- RB JaMycal Hasty (ankle)
- CB Marcus Jones (hip)
Patriots players limited in practice
- WR Javon Baker (concussion)
- DT Christian Barmore (not injury related/other)
- CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder)
- OLB Anfernee Jennings (knee)
- OT Vederian Lowe (shoulder)
- G Cole Strange (knee)
- OLB Jahlani Tavai (groin)
- OT Caedan Wallace (ankle – INJURED RESERVE)
- DE Deatrich Wise (foot)
With two more official practices this week, it’s going to be a key to watch and scrutinize every practice to see who’s ready to play on Sunday. How much of his defense will Bobby Babich have to work with? Will Milano miss more time? Who will be the Bills’ starting safeties this week? What will the Patriots roster look like?
