Just as if things couldn’t get worse for the Buffalo Bills heading to Week 5. The team was already facing multiple injuries and head coach Sean McDermott just ruled two key players on both sides of the ball. On Friday, McDermott told the media that defensive tackle Ed Oliver and wide receiver Khalil Shakir have been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans.
Shakir is dealing with an ankle injury and Oliver has been battling a hamstring injury. In addition to them two, the Bills also ruled out defensive tackle Austin Johnson and safety Taylor Rapp.
Coach McDermott has ruled WR Khalil Shakir and DT Ed Oliver out for Sunday’s game.#BUFvsHOU injury report: https://t.co/euHVhlf8lb pic.twitter.com/Q5ofM9OrOJ
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 4, 2024
Already being down two linebackers in Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano, along with cornerback Taron Johnson, this will look like almost a whole new defensive unit for the Bills. With Oliver and Johnson being ruled out, the Bills will now have to plan for a new starter and extra depth.
With Shakir’s injury, fans don’t realize how important Shakir is to the Buffalo offense. Despite this offense sharing the ball with everyone, Shakir has been the go-to guy for Josh Allen in four games. We now may see more of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Curtis Samuel getting more targets unlike the last month of football.
Buffalo seems to always have some bad luck on their side when it comes to injuries. Even though it is still early in the season, we are starting to approach the tough games that help teams make a run at the playoffs. Being on the road is already tough enough. Now the Bills will have to do so without six of their usual starters.
The Buffalo Bills have an uphill battle in Week 5
The Texans are coming in at 3-1 as well, just like the Bills. However, we all know that the big storyline is former Bill Stefon Diggs taking on his old team. With all of the injuries that this defense is facing, it would not be surprising to see C.J. Stroud and company attack the passing game.
McDermott has demonstrated that the “next man up” mentality can work, but not to this extent. Bills fans should expect this game to come down onto the shoulders of Josh Allen and the offense outscoring Stroud and the Texans.