The Buffalo Bills are back in Orchard Park to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11. It will be a welcome trip home after the stunning defeat at the flippers of the Miami Dolphins last week.
As if last week against the Dolphins wasn't bad enough, the injuries keep piling on. Following a jumpscare of a Wednesday report, things quickly mellowed out. By Friday's injury report, the picture cleared.
Bills' Week 11 injury report vs. Buccaneers per the Bills' PR X account
CB Christian Benford - Groin
After missing Week 10, and watching the Bills get blown out by the Dolphins from the sideline, Christian Benford is ready to return. He started the week limited as he recovered from his ongoing groin injury, but was quickly a full participant. Buffalo will need Benford active against a competitive Buccaneers passing game. Fortunately, they'll have him, as he has no designation for gameday.
DE Joey Bosa - Wrist
One of a large number of Bills limited in practice on Wednesday, Joey Bosa similarly bumped up to full participation a day later. His wrist injury led to a club on his hand against the Dolphins. One of the team's most impactful defenders this season, another game of limited hand usage by Bosa could be costly. So far, there's no reason to expect the club to remain.
RB James Cook - Ankle
After his ankle injury these past two weeks, James Cook is off the injury report for Week 11.
DE A.J. Epenesa - Concussion
A.J. Epenesa missed Week 10 with a concussion, and the Bills pass rush suffered for it. Now, he's back to full strength. He was a full participant in practice this week, with no limitations on any days.
DT Jordan Phillips - Wrist
Jordan Phillips has been dealing with a wrist injury for two weeks, but it didn't keep him away on Sunday- It won't stop him this week either. Phillips has no designation or limitations and will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
WR Joshua Palmer - Knee/Ankle
It was close to go-time for Joshua Palmer last week, but ultimately his pre-game test didn't yield great results; Neither did the Bills play without him. Now, Palmer will return from his knee and ankle injury suffered against the Falcons in Week 6. An offense in need of help will have just that.
LB Terrel Bernard - Ankle
Terrel Bernard played 100% of defensive snaps last week, and seems to be back in midseason form. He rested too, like so much of the roster on Wednesday, but has no limitations this week.
DT DaQuan Jones - Calf
DaQuan Jones is off the injury report for Week 11 and ready to go. It's the first time in a month he has been off the report completely, but it's progress. His role will only expand with the injuries on Buffalo's defensive line.
LB Shaq Thompson - Hamstring
After missing the past two weeks with a hamstring issue, Shaq Thompson is finally practicing fully. Barring another unexpected setback, the quality veteran should be back on the field this weekend. Still, hamstrings are tricky, and he's questionable with the expectation of testing it pre-game.
Cam Lewis - Calf
Cam Lewis stepped in admirably for Taron Johnson the past two weeks, playing 100% and 92% of snaps respectively. His play has been excellent, and he's once again proven his worth on this roster, but there's troubling news. A new calf injury threatens to hurt the Bills depth again. The only player on the active roster who didn't practice fully even once this week, Cam Lewis may need his rest. His counterpart is another question entirely.
CB Taron Johnson - Groin
After missing the past two weeks with his groin injury, Taron Johnson had no limitations on Thursday and was ready to go. Actually getting one of their starters back would be a rare surprise for the Bills defense this season, and they were so close. Now, Taron suffers a setback in Friday's practice and is questionable. Based on the timeline, we consider it unlikely he takes the field.
Dalton Kincaid - Hamstring
Dalton Kincaid's second injury stint of the season interrupts another streak of great play from the young tight end. He's officially week-to-week with his hamstring injury, but could miss anything from two weeks to six. So far, he's avoided the injured reserve but isn't practicing, as expected. As it happens, including Kincaid and the final score, Buffalo suffered three losses against Miami.
Landon Jackson - Knee
This third loss against the Dolphins, Landon Jackson went to the injured reserve before practice even opened for the week. Whilst reports of his injury are initially promising, with a full recovery expected, he still tore his MCL and PCL on the second play of the game.
The recovery timeline is unclear- Sean McDermott called him week-to-week initially, and there are cases of similar injuries returning during the season. Still, Jackson was a healthy scratch for much of this season, and is a raw rookie with lots to learn. Perhaps a return, plausible or not, would be the wrong move.
Phidarian Mathis - Shoulder
Phidarian Mathis was another signing to bring up the depth as the Bills defense took yet more injury hits. Now, he himself joins the choir. The shoulder injury occurred late in the game, making the initial assessment difficult for those outside the organization. All we know is that he has yet to practice, and has been declared our for Sunday.
T.J. Sanders - Knee
As T.J. Sanders works his way back, his return to practice window has officially been opened. He came out rearing to go. Sanders was a full participant throughout the week, and is in line to play on Sunday. Officially, he has yet to be elevated from the injured reserve, but will likely be activated and participating.
Khalil Shakir - Ankle/Ribs
Another notable player with an injury, Khalil Shakir is one the offense cannot afford to go without. He led all receivers with a 66% snap share against Miami, but cropped up with this combo-injury on Wednesday.
With Gabe Davis practicing with the starters this week, and the return of Joshua Palmer, Shakir could have sat this one out. Still, Sean McDermott said on WGR 550 that Shakir "Is heading in the right direction and should be in a good spot for the game". No limitations, and he's ready to go.
Dorian Williams - Groin
Dorian Williams suffered a groin injury on Sunday, but it has hardly limited him in practice this week. He was a full participant from Thursday onwards and will be active this weekend against the Buccaneers.
Injury Summary
With the injury to Dalton Kincaid likely sidelining him for multiple weeks, if not a month or more, the Buffalo Bills need to think of solutions. A healthy dose of young upstart TE Jackson Hawes is one option, using their other weapons or hitting free agency is another. The team is in a difficult spot, but there are usable playmakers on this team who will need to step up.
Losing Mathis for the game isn't a huge blow, with Sanders likely returning from his knee injury. Buffalo has preferred Sanders over Mathis, and the rookie has been decent this season prior to his injury.
The second-biggest problem on this report, after Dalton Kincaid, is the combo of Cam Lewis and Taron Johnson both suffering injuries. If neither nickel corner is able to go, Buffalo is forced to put a safety in that role and handicap their secondary somewhat. It's not an enticing prospect.