The Buffalo Bills have had one of the best defenses in the NFL over the first four weeks of the season but in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, this group could look very different. The two areas in particular is at cornerback and defensive end.
Last week against the Miami Dolphins, the Bills saw Tre'Davious White leave the game on the cart and it was later determined he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. He was placed on injured reserve on Saturday and this raised the question of who would replace White in the starting line up.
The most likely player is Dane Jackson, who has been the primary backup for most of the season behind White and Christian Benford. However, the injury suffered by Tre'Davious White and Benford being inactive has opened the door for Kaiir Elam to not only be active but be in line to start. The former first round pick has not been active the first four weeks of the season.
At defensive end, there is also notable changes with one key player already ruled out but another returning for the first time this season. The Bills lead the league in sacks and a big reason for that has been Greg Rousseau. However, Rousseau was not able to practice this week due to a foot injury and he was ruled out on Friday.
However, the Bills were able to activate Von Miller on Saturday in a corresponding move to placing Tre'Davious White on injured reserve. This will be Miller's first game since suffering a torn ACL last Thanksgiving but he is expected to be a on a snap count, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
In addition, the Bills had a late entry to their injury report as Shaq Lawson was listed as questionable on Saturday due to a toe injury and he is inactive for today's game. The defense is going to need big games from A.J. Epenesa, Leonard Floyd, and even Kingsley Jonathan to get through this game with Rousseau out and Miller not ready to take on a full workload.
Buffalo Bills Week 5 Inactives
- Greg Rousseau
- Germain Ifedi
- Alec Anderson
- Poona Ford
- Shaq Lawson
- Christian Benford
- Damar Hamlin