The Buffalo Bills called up Duke Williams from the practice squad ahead of Saturday’s game.
The Buffalo Bills announced their injury report on Thursday for Saturday’s game with the Indianapolis Colts. The team for the most part is relatively healthy but did have two wide receivers, Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley, listed as questionable for this game.
The fact that both wide receivers are questionable likely played into the decision of the Bills calling up wide receiver Duke Williams from the practice squad.
The good news is that it seems very unlikely that Stefon Diggs, who led the league in receptions and receiving yards, is going to miss this week. He did miss Wednesday practice and was only limited on Thursday but said after Wednesday’s practice that he is fine.
Here's the full interaction I had with Stefon Diggs yesterday discussing his oblique injury.
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) January 7, 2021
Diggs responses:
"I'm cool. No major issues. Don't believe everything you read."
"It's only been around for a little while, but I'm fine."#Bills pic.twitter.com/MnBmSzi5yg
As for Cole Beasley, he did miss last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins after suffering a knee injury against the New England Patriots. He sat out practice on Tuesday and Wednesday but was able to practice on a limited basis on Thursday.
This doesn’t guarantee that the team will get their starting slot receiver back but it is certainly a good sign.
The fact that Diggs and Beasley may not be completely healthy, combined with Isaiah McKenzie being limited on Tuesday and Wednesday with an ankle injury, it makes sense for the coaching staff to want to have some extra depth at the position.
Duke Williams has been active for only one game this year, in Week 7 against the New York Jets when he played four offensive snaps. However, he knows this offense very well and has been apart of the organization for the last two years.
He also played a significant role in the Buffalo Bills’ playoff game last year against the Houston Texans when he had 10 targets, although he did finish with only four receptions.
This experience could be valuable for the Buffalo Bills if Stefon Diggs or Cole Beasley is not able to play, or play their normal workload, this week against the Indianapolis Colts.