The Buffalo Bills are getting key pieces back at just the right time. In his weekly Wednesday press conference, head coach Sean McDermott said the same four players working themselves back into the lineup, Terrel Bernard, Joey Bosa, Spencer Brown and Josh Palmer, would be limited in Wednesday’s walkthrough practice session.
Shortly thereafter, Brown informed reporters that he’ll be back on the field for the Bills’ offense this week against the New England Patriots.
Brown was sidelined with a shoulder injury he suffered against the Houston Texans in Week 12, but now he’ll be back in the lineup, giving Buffalo its full starting offensive line for the final stretch of the season.
Spencer Brown’s return gives Buffalo Bills a timely boost heading into December
Buffalo’s offensive front hasn’t been quite as strong this season, with Josh Allen having already taken 17 more sacks than last year. Still, it wasn’t due to the brief absence of Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown.
Against Pittsburgh, Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark stepped in for the starters and prevented Allen from taking a sack. Dawkins returned last week against Cincinnati, though Van Demark flipped to the right side to fill in for Brown. Allen was sacked three times as Van Demark struggled a bit more against the Bengals' pass rushers and was also called for the holding penalty that wiped away James Cook’s longest rush of the day.
Still, Anderson and Van Demark deserve their flowers for their efforts in two must-win AFC matchups against imposing pass rush units.
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Of course, with Brown back in the lineup, there’s more confidence on the edge of the trenches, both in the run game and in protecting Allen.
Hopefully, Brown and the rest of the Bills' offensive line don’t suffer any further setbacks as the regular season comes to a close.