Problems are always expected to arise for NFL teams. Sometimes they occur early on in training camp, or as late as the playoffs. Either way, no team ever has everything go perfectly. Adversity is what defines a team and how they respond to it. Some teams overcome their major challenges, while others fall apart.
The Buffalo Bills are currently facing a major challenge themselves early on in training camp. It looks like the injury bug has hit them within the first full week of training camp, specifically on the defense. First, Bills beat reporter Sal Capaccio reported on Monday that safety Mike Edwards suffered a hamstring injury which will keep him on a week-to-week status. Hamstring injuries are one of the worst because they can linger for many weeks.
Then early on in Tuesday, the Bills announced the signing of veteran safety Kareem Jackson, who could potentially end up making the roster if Edwards is not ready to go by the time Week 1 rolls around. Bringing in Jackson while Edwards heals was a good move by Beane, but now Beane may face another challenge, yet again in the secondary.
During Tuesday's practice in training camp, Josh Reed reported that rookie safety Cole Bishop suffered some sort of arm injury in which his arm was “heavily wrapped”.
Bills safety Cole Bishop just walked by with his arm heavily wrapped
— Josh Reed (@4JoshReed) July 30, 2024
The Bills could be in major trouble
Injuries are part of the game and they are unavoidable. However, the Bills have been cursed with bad luck on the defensive side of the ball the last few years. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer had their fair share of injuries in the last two seasons of their Bills tenure. Now Edwards and Bishop are facing some injury issues. While there are no major injuries as of now, the Bills are already having to adapt to the “next man up” mentality.
As of right now, the most notable safeties on the roster are Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, and Kareem Jackson. That isn’t exactly the best setup for the Bills right now. Maybe, just maybe, Beane will make a call to Micah Hyde if things don’t get better for Edwards and Bishop.
These situations are going to have to be closely monitored as we wait to see Bishop and Edwards’ status throughout camp. It is a tough situation because practice shouldn’t change to avoid injuries, but with being thin at one specific position, the Bills are going to need to be extra cautious the rest of training camp.