The adrenaline is still pumping from the Buffalo Bills' unfathomable 41-40 takedown of the Baltimore Ravens. To do this on Sunday Night Football to kick off Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season made the triumphant victory even more special.
But there is no rest for the weary in the NFL, and the Bills will have to travel across the state to take on their AFC East rival, the New York Jets, on Sunday afternoon. The Jets looked far better than expected on opening weekend, albeit in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Buffalo looks like the most formidable team in the AFC after just one game, but as always, obstacles have been thrown in their way. Bills fans received some alarming injury news on Thursday, and the team's defense may be in big trouble.
Bills' Ed Oliver spotted in walking boot at practice
On Thursday, Buffalo released its injury report ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Jets, and star defensive tackle Ed Oliver was listed as a non-participant. Given that Oliver is a veteran player, rest days are not atypical, so his absence did not stick out.
Until Bills reporter Sal Capaccio reported that Oliver was in a walking boot on his left foot when he left the locker room on Thursday. He also used a scooter to get around, so needless to say, he did not participate at all in practice.
This is an unsettling development for Buffalo and its defense, as Oliver was undoubtedly the team's best player outside of Josh Allen on Sunday. His Pro Football Focus grade of 92.1 was better than any other player on the Bills' defense.
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Oliver being out would change the complexion of the game for Buffalo, and it would make things a whole lot easier on the Jets' offensive line. Even against a strong Ravens front, Oliver recorded a sack, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and three quarterback hits on Lamar Jackson.
With another mobile quarterback in Justin Fields on the docket, Oliver's prowess is much-needed. The team will need Daquan Jones to step up if this unit wants to stay afloat, and it will potentially be a great early test for rookies T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker.
Ideally, Oliver is in a boot out of an extreme abundance of caution, and he can still somehow suit up for the Bills on Sunday. But if not, things may get a bit dicey for Buffalo's defense, even if they are supposed to be built to overcome things like this.