The Buffalo Bills have received a mix of updates on the injury front this week as they prepare for their Divisional Round matchup with the Denver Broncos.
On the good side, despite all the bumps and bruises Josh Allen picked up against Jacksonville, he’s living up to the Man of Steel aspect that comes with his fourth-quarter heroics. Plus, Ed Oliver, Curtis Samuel, and Damar Hamlin had their 21-day return window opened.
On the other side, though, the Bills put their third wide receiver on Injured Reserve in two weeks after Tyrell Shavers tore his ACL. Also, kicker Matt Prater added his right calf to his right quad injury, though he did practice in full on Wednesday.
The latest bad news came on Thursday morning when head coach Sean McDermott revealed two key defenders who will miss Saturday’s playoff game.
Bills HC Sean McDermott confirms two key defenders won’t play Saturday vs. Broncos
McDermott said on WGR550 that both cornerback Maxwell Hairston and safety Jordan Poyer will be out of action this week. Hairston is still dealing with the ankle injury he suffered in the season finale, while Poyer injured his hamstring last week. Running back Ty Johnson, who has an ankle injury, was also mentioned, though his status for the game isn't set in stone just yet.
At cornerback, the Bills already have a plan in place to deal with Hairston’s absence, and it’s the same plan they used last week. Christian Benford and Tre’Davious White will stick to the boundary without Hairston available to rotate in, while Dane Jackson provides depth. Provided all three stay healthy, Hairston's unavailability is a survivable situation on its own.
As for Poyer, rookie fifth-round pick Jordan Hancock filled in for him last week, but the team has options. With Hamlin returning and Savage more acclimated to the team after being picked up in December, either could stand to see snaps at the position on defense this week.
Still, there’s no making up for the leadership value Poyer provides in the secondary, even with two veteran options in Hamlin and Savage. The leadership and veteran saviness are worth their weight, especially when facing a young, talented quarterback like Bo Nix in a postseason environment.
READ MORE: Sean Payton just showed he's already worried about Josh Allen coming to Denver
Nix has had a great second season, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and scoring 30 total touchdowns with just 11 interceptions. He’s got a strong cast of receivers and one of the best play callers the league has seen with Sean Payton as his head coach. It’s the postseason, so it goes without saying, but this is not an opponent any defense wants to face without key pieces of their secondary available.
Without Poyer and Hairston, the Bills' defense will certainly feel a bit more pressure on the backend to contain Nix and the Broncos’ offensive attack. With Josh Allen and the offense taking on one of the strongest defenses the league has on offer this season, it’ll be up to McDermott to quell that pressure on his defense with the right personnel decisions to ensure that points remain at a premium in a hostile environment.