Posted on Aug 19
Buffalo Bills face injury woes as season nears, McDermott acknowledges challenges: "It affects a lot."
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Buffalo Bills face injury concerns as the 2024 NFL season approaches.
Why it matters: The Bills are dealing with a series of injuries to key players, which can impact their preparation for the upcoming season and potentially affect their performance on the field.
- Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and tight end Quintin Morris will be out for multiple weeks.
- Wide receiver Curtis Samuel, safety Damar Hamlin, and linebacker Baylon Spector are listed as week-to-week.
- Starting linebacker Matt Milano suffered a torn biceps in practice last week.
- The Bills have signed Ben DiNucci as the third quarterback due to Shane Buechele's neck injury.
- Defensive end Javon Solomon and defensive tackle Austin Johnson will have limited participation, while defensive end Casey Toohill could return later in the week.
- Safeties Mike Edwards and Cole Bishop, along with linebacker Nicholas Morrow, will participate in walk-throughs and some individual drills this week.
- The team is set to have two new starting safeties after Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.
- The Bills' starters will not play in the third preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
- Head coach Sean McDermott expressed concerns about the impact of injuries on practice and the start of the season.
Yes, but: Despite the injuries, the Bills remain focused on finding solutions and adapting to the challenges they face.
- McDermott on the quarterback situation: "[Conversations about what to do at quarterback] haven't concluded though, really, so we're working on it."
- McDermott acknowledges the challenges of injuries, stating, "The biggest challenge is having a player hurt is one thing, but having a new player hurt who doesn't know what we're doing systematically is another challenge."
- McDermott highlights the broader impact of injuries, saying, "It affects a lot of things. It affects practice, it affects the game this weekend, and it'll potentially affect the start of the season for a lot of those positions."
What to watch: The Bills' ability to navigate these injuries and make necessary adjustments will be crucial as they aim to maintain their competitiveness in the 2024 season.
The bottom line: Injuries can significantly impact a team's performance, but the Bills remain determined to overcome these challenges and find ways to succeed. The depth of their roster will be tested, and the coaching staff will need to devise effective strategies to maximize the available talent.