Sean McDermott Gives Buffalo Bills Injury Update

Don't look now, but the 2024 Buffalo Bills are in shambles. They may well be fine by the time season starts, but as of today there are a number of injuries set to massively impact the roster. From losing Matt Milano for anywhere from three months to the whole season, to now having to put a team on the field this Saturday without multiple key backups and starters, this squad has gone from battered to wholly depleted. Following another slew of injuries, Sean McDermott gave some updates at his press conference Monday morning.

S Mike Edwards, Cole Bishop, LB Nick Morrow

""[Edwards will] do walkthrough, and individual [position drills] this week- or parts of individual. The same with Cole Bishop and the same with Nick Morrow""

- Sean McDermott

The update on the two safeties, who have both missed extended time from early in their tenure with Buffalo, is an optimistic one. With fellow safety and possible starter Damar Hamlin also now dealing with an injury, Cole Bishop and Mike Edwards are going to be needed. Edwards sufered a hamstring injury early in camp and Bishop was sidelined for an extended period with a shoulder injury. Getting both back on the field would be a boon, but neither will be cleared by this weekend's matchup.

Nick Morrow is another helpful update, as the LB core is more drained than it's been all offseason. Morrow was brought in to help provide depth and has been sidelined with a groin injury, but no further information is officially available as of yet.

OL Travis Clayton

""No change with Travis Clayton""

- Sean McDermott

Travis Clayton, coming to the Buffalo Bills via the international player pathway program, is still new to the game. Learning to play football is tough when you're not on the field, and we have no update on the status of the rookie. His shoulder injury has kept him sidelined since the end of July. He likely sits on the practice squad this season with an international player pathways exemption, with a shot to learn the position and complete to play in 2025. His injury shouldn't keep him from that role.

DE Casey Toohill

""We're targeting later this week, potentially, for Casey Toohill to return""

- Sean McDermott

Of all the positions on this roster, Casey Toohill plays one where we actually have seen success this offseason. The great offseasons from Greg Rousseau and Von Miller lend faith to the defensive ends, but getting Toohill back will still be a boon. A rare piece of good news in a dismal few weeks for Buffalo.

QB Mitch Trubisky, WR Marques Valdes-Scantling, TE Quintin Morris

""Mitch and MVS will be out multiple weeks, as well as Quintin Morris who is currently undergoing further evaluation." "

- Sean McDermott

Quintin Morris, engaged in a battle for the TE3 role with Zach Davisson, may miss some time with a shoulder injury, but we should have more information on his status soon. Morris has offered good value as the 3rd tight end last season, and was performing well again this year. If he isn't expected to miss time, that job may be his again. If he does, his spot would be up for grabs.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling went down hard in the Week 2 preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but may have escaped a major injury. He has hurt his neck, which offers a range of possible issues and an unclear timeline for return, but may still be ready for Week 1.

As for expected QB2 Mitch Trubisky, his knee injury gained against the Steelers might be an obstacle. There's no reason currently to believe he's going to miss Week 1, as he may be able to play through it in a backup role, but he likely won't be at 100% by then. Buffalo will need help at QB until then. McDermott commented on the need to go after another QB via free agency or trade with Mitch's status up in the air:

""We're working on it- Brandon [Beane] is working on it with his staff.""

- Sean McDermott

Shortly after this, the Buffalo Bills signed former Ravens QB Anthony Brown.

DEs Javon Solomon, Austin Johnson

""Javon Solomon and Austin Johnson will be limited this week, we'll see how they do today.""

- Sean McDermott

The defensive end depth gets some good news, as both Javon Solomon (calf) and Austin Johnson (also calf) gave fans scares this weekend. Luckily, they seem to have avoid major injuries and will practice to an extent. Their status isn't one to worry about.

S Damar Hamlin

""Damar Hamlin, with a hamstring, is week-to-week.""

- Sean McDermott

Damar Hamlin was having a great offseason, but a hamstring injury suffered in the Buffalo Bills joint practice with the Steelers may have hindered his shot at the starting job. That is, if there were another safety there to take it from him. He was waltzing into the defense before going down, but is still on track to return for Week 1. If not, we should hope to have Mike Edwards back on his feet.

WR Lawrence Keys

""Lawrence Keys is improving""

- Sean McDermott

Lawrence Keys suffered an undisclosed leg injury in practice last week, but is improving. A probable practice squad addition, Keys has given the Bills some good reps at camp this offfseason.

LB Baylon Spector, WR Curtis Samuel

""Baylon Spector and Curtis Samuel are both week-to-week" "[Samuel] is dealing with a turf toe situation.""

- Sean McDermott

It was concerning knowing Baylon Spector was suffering from a calf injury. Seeing he still has weeks left to go in his recovery, only 20 days prior to the first game of the season and with the Buffalo Bills linebacker situation the way it is, has heightened the sense of urgency. Still, Spector is not expected to be an immediate contributor. His absence won't be as much of an impact as others.

One of those others is Curtis Samuel. The WR joined Buffalo ready for a massive role, and has been a focal point all offseason. Now, he suffers from turf toe, which could hinder him all season if not properly managed. If it's a low grade, he could be fine in a week or two, but a higher grade could severely affect his year. Taking it easy is the only course of action. If it means missing a few weeks to start the season, that's just the cost of getting healthy.

The Update For Saturday's Game

""Initially the plan was to play the ones this week, because of the injuries and lack of availability we're going to take the ones out [and] play the other guys, take a look at them.""

- Sean McDermott

McDermott closed that part of the conference with an updated game plan for Saturday's final preseason matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The plan had been to work the starters through, and get everyone their final reps to prepare for the season. With the severe number of injuries across the board, the Bills are handicapped. Keeping the remaining starters safe if the correct course of action, as worrisome as it is.