ORCHARD PARK – Once again, Thursday practices for the Buffalo Bills have been a bit of a nightmare.
Five players had their practice status changed in a negative way, and while Sean McDermott didn’t specify exactly how all of it went down, it just leaves you shaking your head this season with the amount of injuries the Bills have suffered in practice.
Defensive back Taron Johnson and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones went from full practice in Wednesday’s walk through session to limited on Thursday and McDermott said they would get veteran rest/injury management days off Friday. And defensive back Cam Lewis, offensive lineman Chase Lundt and punter Mitch Wishnowsky – yes, the punter – went from no designation to limited.
Bills injury report: Who is definitely out vs Browns
As for who McDermott said would not play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and kicker Matt Prater were already ruled out early in the week, and Lundt – a rookie who hasn’t really played this season – is going to be inactive. McDermott added that Lewis was not going to practice Friday, so that seems like a bad sign for his availability in Cleveland. He was officially listed as questionable when the final injury report was released Friday afternoon.
With Prater out, that means newly-signed kicker Michael Badgley will be elevated from the practice squad Saturday afternoon.
Dion Dawkins returns to practice
Now, it wasn’t all bad news as left tackle Dion Dawkins returned to work after missing two days with an illness. Obviously, Dawkins is a key player Sunday because he’ll be working against Browns superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard and wide receiver/punt returner Mecole Hardman both improved from limited to full Thursday, and then Friday, cornerback Christian Benford was going to be a full participant which is potentially good news for his status Sunday.
Benford sat out last week’s game with a toe injury and he is perhaps the Bills’ best defensive player, so a return would certainly be nice, even though the Browns’ passing game isn’t anything to be too concerned about, even if Benford winds up not playing.
Bernard has missed the last three games with an elbow injury, and previously he was battling an ankle injury. Hardman is on injured reserve but his practice window was opened Wednesday, so there’s a chance he could be activated in time for Sunday’s game as he was officially listed for the game as questionable. If he plays, McDermott will have an interesting decision to make at receiver.
Hardman would immediately return to punt return duties, but Ray Davis has locked down the kickoff return job. He leads the NFL with a 32.4 average so taking him out of that role would not be wise. But who would Hardman replace in the wide receiver group if he’s active? Would he replace Brandin Cooks who has done nothing in three games and has not given the Bills the deep threat that is so lacking in the offense? Hardman can provide speed, and his advantage would be his contribution to special teams.
“He’s practiced this week, first week opening his window coming off IR so we’ll see how it goes,” McDermott said.
Browns will be missing several players
One of Cleveland’s best players, offensive guard Wyatt Teller, may be able to return to action as he’s listed as questionable with a calf injury. But overall, it’s not a pretty picture for the 3-11 Browns.
Ruled out are their best cornerback, Denzel Ward, starting offensive tackle Jack Conklin, tight end David Njoku, and backup running back Dylan Sampson.
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 36 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills’ injury woes continue as latest report has surprise additions
Reporting by Sal Maiorana, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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