Buffalo Bills: How does the loss of Jarius Wynn affect the team?

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With everything seemingly going so well for the Buffalo Bills, something was bound to go wrong. Jarius Wynn has been lost for the season, with an ACL injury.

Wynn suffered the injury during Friday’s opening preseason game with the Caroline Panthers. This represents a significant blow to the Bills, with the 28-year old representing a key contributor to the defensive line.

Rex Ryan spoke to the media, including Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News, after practice on Sunday: “At the time, we weren’t sure of that (the severity of the injury).

“He’ll be lost for the season. So obviously, that’s a devastating loss to us and to him.”

Aug 23, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Jarius Wynn (92) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Tampa Bay beats Buffalo 27 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Wynn signed for the Bills in 2014, and enjoyed a productive first year in Western New York. He featured in 11 games – including one start – and registered 17 tackles, two sacks and two defensed passes.

Buffalo rewarded the Augusta, Georgia native after the season, by re-signing him to a two-year, $2.2 million contract. He was expected to be the main backup to Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes, heading into this season.

The question now is, how will the loss of Wynn affect the Bills defense? Proving that fate has an ironic sense of humor, this now increases the opportunity for IK Enemkpali to contribute to the team.

As Dunne reported, the controversial pickup has been working as an “elephant-type” end, standing up and rushing from the three-point stance. He played several snaps against the Panthers, just days after been released from the New York Jets, for breaking Geno Smith‘s jaw.

Moving forward, the Bills defensive end depth now looks as follows: Williams, Hughes, Alex Carrington, Enemkpali, Andrew Hudson, Cedric Reed, BJ Larsen and Eik Williams.

In other injury-related news, Tobias Palmer left practice on Sunday with what Ryan simply referred to as “sickness”. Bryce Brown also left with a minor hamstring injury, while there was some good news, with Percy Harvin set to return to the field on Monday.

Next: Which Bills receivers will make the final cut?

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