Week 6 in already upon us, and the Buffalo Bills are set to visit the Atlanta Falcons as part of the Monday Night Football doubleheader. After a difficult and painful outing a week ago, the Bills will need to get right. With any luck, the injury report will come back cleaner this time around.
Buffalo got some help back against the New England Patriots, but suffered greatly despite the returns of Spencer Brown and Matt Milano. The waters are muddier now. The final injury report has arrived, so we're going to break it down..
Bills' Week 6 injury report vs. Falcons per the Bills' PR X account
OT Dion Dawkins - Thumb
Dion Dawkins has a thumb injury, according to coach McDermott, but he has given no update since that announcement. The injury seems to have stemmed from game action, but it only limited him on Thursday's practice. He's been a full participant since, and has no limitations.
S Damar Hamlin - Pectoral
Damar Hamlin started the week limited with a pectora injury, but was downgraded to a non-participant for Friday's practice. His injury seems to have taken a turn down, as the Bills placed him on injured reserve on Saturday after two days without practicing. He will be eligible to begin his return to practice window in four weeks.
TE Dalton Kincaid - Oblique
The Bills' tight end is dealing with a new oblique injury, which has a chance to hamper his availability for Monday's game. Dalton Kincaid has been limited in practice ass week, but still has a chance to play. His questionable designation gives nothing away, and he should be a true gameday decision by the coaching staff.
S Taylor Rapp - Nose
Taylor Rapp's nose injury limited him on Thursday, but he was a full go after that. Rapp has no designation and should start on Monday.
WR Curtis Samuel - Neck/Ribs
Another surprise entry on the list, Curtis Samuel suffered a few hits on Sunday that did some damage. He was limited on Thursday, but demoted to a non-participant on Friday. He practiced in a limited capacity on Saturday, but is currently questionable for Monday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
OT Spencer Brown - Calf
Spencer Brown is off the injury report this week after missing Week 4 with a calf injury. He sustained it in Week 2, and it hampered him in Week 3, but no longer seems to be an issue.
TE Jackson Hawes - Ankle
Buffalo's newest tight end has become a fan favorite, and his ankle injury didn't keep him off the field for Week 5. Jackson Hawes is off the injury report this week, and is ready to go again.
DT TJ Sanders - Knee
TJ Sanders did not play last week after a surprise knee injury popped up. Though he was not initially ruled out for Week 6 by Sean McDermott, he didn't practice at all. Now, he's officially been placed on the injured reserve, missing at least four weeks. It's a shame to see, but there are others ready to take his place in the lineup soon.
CB Dorian Strong - Neck
Dorian Strong was placed onto the injured reserve on Saturday October 4th, ahead of Week 5's matchup against the Patriots. He will be seeing a neck specialist, according to Sean McDermott, who gave no further update.
DT Ed Oliver - Ankle
Ed Oliver has been out since the first practice following Week 1 against the Ravens. Though he's been steadily improving, his 4+ week absence has taken up a roster spot that could have been used by someone active for that period. The injured reserve would have been a good choice, but there's nothing to be done now.
He's escalated his work slightly over the past two weeks. Though Ed Oliver was limited in practice each day this week, he's officially a full participant on Saturday with no limitations. Bills fans should rejoice as he's set to return to action.
LB Matt Milano - Pectoral
Matt Milano's return was anything but triumphant, as he quickly reaggravated his pectoral injury. It had kept him sidelined for two and a half games; Following the loss, it is likely to do the same again. Per Sean McDermott, he is considered 'week-to-week' at this time. McDermott specified he doesn't believe Milano will head to the injured reserve yet.
He won't play this Monday, ruled out on Saturday afternoon, but in avoiding injured reserve this week he sets the expectation for another brief absence. Hopefully this time, when he does return, it isn't hampered by yet another visit to the blue tent.
LB Dorian Williams - Knee
Following his first missed game of the season, Dorian Williams is hoping to bounce back amid the team's linebacker woes. Williams was the primary backup for Matt Milano, who is set to miss even more time now.
Williams upgraded to full participation on Friday and Saturday, and has no gameday designation for Monday. Williams will return, and it's good timing.
Injury Summary
Losing Damar Hamlin to the IR isn't ideal, but he isn't the most consequential backup in a safety room with some average depth. Jordan Hancock, Cam Lewis, and Sam Franklin Jr. can all fill his role comfortably. Hancock has been inactive most of this season, but should play this week.
TJ Sanders has been quietly solid this season, but his loss is not an enourmous one. This week, Ed Oliver returns for a 1-for-1 swap that's undeniably an upgrade. Next week, Sanders roster spot is likely filled by Larry Ogunjobi, who starts his season as his 6-week suspension is ended. Michael Hoecht also returns from his suspension, and Damar Hamlin's spot is filled.
Matt Milano missing another chunk of time is far from ideal. The Buffalo Bills are already thin at that position. They signed Jimmy Ciarlo from the practice squad last week, but that isn't enough to fill this glaring hole on defense. Hopefully Milano returns soon to bring the team back to starting strength, but they'll be struggling with LB depth all season. The return of Dorian Williams helps, as his floor is that of a consistent tackler who has a nose for the ball.
Curtis Samuel is commonly a healthy scratch for this team; having him be an unhealthy one won't affect the team greatly. If Dalton Kincaid isn't able to go, Buffalo has to hope Jackson Hawes and Dawson Knox can handle his responsibilities.