Buffalo Bills: Week 11 Injury Report Update
By Paul Taylor
We bring you all the latest injury news for the Buffalo Bills, as they prepare for their crucial clash with the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
Despite playing well against the Seattle Seahawks, the Buffalo Bills fell below .500 and threaten to extend the longest current playoff drought in professional football. As such, moral victories don’t really matter, especially in the cut-throat environment of the NFL.
And yet, Rex Ryan’s team has to gain something from taking the Seahawks all the way to the wire – at CenturyLink Field no less. The way Tyrod Taylor carved up one of the very best defenses in the league was an extremely impressive sight to behold.
Regardless, critics will still point to the fact the Bills are now 4-5 after the 31-25 loss, with their postseason hopes hanging by a thread. If they’re going to have any chance of still challenging, it has to start in Cincinnati.
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With that said, the Week 11 injury report will play a vital part in determining what to expect against the Bengals. In that respect, Bills fans will be encouraged by a casualty list that only has seven names on it, one of which doesn’t really count.
That one player would be rookie Cardale Jones, who is currently dealing with a non-injury related illness. In truth, his potential absence wouldn’t matter either way, given that he is third on the quarterback depth chart and has yet to see any action this season.
Apart from Jones, all the offensive players on the injury report are at the wide receiver position. Undoubtedly, the main concern is Robert Woods.
The 24-year old is coming off a career game against the Seahawks, when he had 10 receptions for 162 yards. He is dealing with an ongoing foot issue which has limited his participation so far this week in practice, but is expected to suit up in Cincinnati.
The other two receivers on the injury report are Brandon Tate and Walter Powell, who have been contending with a concussion and hip injury respectively. Tate has now been cleared for full practice, while Powell has been limited this week, putting his availability for Sunday into jeopardy.
Turning to the defense, Marcell Dareus once again garners the majority of the attention. The two-time Pro Bowler has been limited to one appearance so far this season, due to suspension and then injuries.
Dareus is dealing with a groin strain, which has so far limited him in practice this week. The Bills tentatively expect him to play against the Bengals, but nothing is being taken for granted after how 2016 has gone so far for the defensive tackle.
The Bills’ defensive line is also dealing with Corbin Bryant‘s shoulder injury, which caused him to miss the Seahawks game. He is yet to practice this week and is not projected to play in Cincinnati.
Finally on the defensive side of the ball, there is also understandable concern in respect of Jerry Hughes. The linebacker is dealing with a hand injury which has limited his participation in practice so far this week.
Despite slowing down slightly after a blistering start to the season, Hughes is still a vital cog. He is yet to miss a game in 2016, but his status for Sunday is currently up in the air.
Next: Bills shake up their secondary
Taking the injuries into account, what’s your prediction for the Bills’ clash with the Bengals? Do you think they will get back to .500, or fall further out of the playoff picture? Let us know in the comments section below.