The Buffalo Bills are on the road in Miami for Week 10 in this AFC East showdown. The two sides are headed in opposite directions; Buffalo stormed past the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday as the Dolphins sold their best talent for draft picks.
This pivotal midseason mark should be easy for the Buffalo Bills, but their injuries are piling up. After taking a lot of lumps in Week 9, Buffalo has some healing to do.
Their laundry list of a final Friday injury report is here; It's not fun to look at. But, someone has to do it, so let's get into it.
Bills' Week 10 injury report vs. Dolphins per the Bills' PR X account
CB Christian Benford - Groin
Late on Wednesday, Christian Benford became the latest victim of 'The Year Of The Groin'. These sorts of injuries have plagued the team since before the season even began. He started the week as limited in practice but missed Thursday's practice entirely. He did practice in limited capacity on Friday, and is questionable. It's probable that Benford takes the field, but with Miami shorthanded as well it might be safe to rest him.
DE Joey Bosa - Wrist
Joey Bosa missed Wednesday's practice with a wrist injury that he picked up against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. He was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday and then a full go on Friday. He is expected to play Sunday.
RB James Cook - Ankle
James Cook's ankle injury is a new one, suffered against Kansas City. On several plays, Cook was subject to gang tackles, the most plausible cause of injury. A likely sprain, the severity is undetermined but probably low. It kept Cook out of practice on Wednesday but he was limited on Thursday and told Kay Adams the he was good to go. Cook has no injury designation for Sunday.
DE A.J. Epenesa - Concussion
Though A.J. Epenesa cropped up in concussion protocol to start Week 10's practices, he wasn't originally flagged for one during the game. He didn't practice at all this week, and was ruled out early on Friday by Sean McDermott. Rookie DE Landon Jackson likely takes his place.
DT Jordan Phillips - Wrist
Jordan Phillips was signed to the active roster out of necessity, but has played well in his limited action so far. His new wrist injury doesn't seem to hamper him, as he was a full participant in practice all week, but it's something to keep an eye on. He has no game designation and will play.
WR Joshua Palmer - Knee/Ankle
Joshua Palmer practiced for the first time since his injury late in Week 9, and it was notable. He still missed his second game, and third week, but the progress was encouraging. As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the Miami Dolphins in Week 10, Palmer gradually ramps up. A pleasant surprise, he was limited in practice all week and then upgraded to questionable for gameday. Palmer has a legitimate shot at playing this weekend.
LB Terrel Bernard - Ankle
Terrel Bernard is still hampered by an ankle injury he picked up back in Week 6. Though he hasn't technically missed a game, Bernard didn't play a snap against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. Against the Chiefs, just a week later, he played a majority of the plays.
He was limited to start this week, but was quickly upgraded to full participation and is ready to play with no injury designation.
DT DaQuan Jones - Calf
Daquan Jones has failed to practice to start at practice for the third consecutive week. As Buffalo gets thinner and thinner at the defensive line position, with the trade deadline now passed, getting DaQuan Jones back on the field is critical for the Bills.
He did practice in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. DaQuan is questionable for Sunday, but resting him another week is the more sensible decision.
LB Shaq Thompson - Hamstring
Shaq Thompson was a surprise addition last week, but now he's just plain injured. His hamstring injury kept him out of practice and off the gameday roster against Kansas City, and now he's missed practice for another week. He is already ruled out against the Miami Dolphins. Hopefully Shaq returns soon, as he has avoided the injured reserve thus far.
CB Taron Johnson - Groin
Taron Johnson's late-week groin injury meant the Bills had to start Cam Lewis at nickel corner against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Lewis played admirably, but Taron is the clear starter, and the Bills need him back.
One of six active Bills who didnt practice on Wednesday, Taron quickly became a limited participant. He was seen doing lots of acrobatic aerobics, indicative of his newly healthy status and the start on Sunday against the Dolphins. Officially, Taron is questionable for gameday.
DB Sam Franklin - Illness
Sam Franklin was fine to start Week 10's practices but succumbed to an illness on Thursday. He was ready to practice on Friday and has no game designation.
Injury Summary
The loss of A.J. Epenesa forces the Bills to play rookie DE Landon Jackson. Jackson has been a healthy scratch for much of this season after an unimpressive preseason, but this opportunity against a beleaguered Dolphins offense might be a good opportunity to give the youngster some meaningful reps. As the team struggles to replace the short-lived production of Michael Hoecht, those reps could prove educational.
Christian Benford's status doesn't fill fans with hope, but Maxwell Hairston has stepped onto the stage well these past two weeks. If there were ever a week to find solace in resting your best, a Tyreek Hill-less Dolphins would be the team to do it against.