With today being Veteran’s Day, I would like to start this post off by thanking our nation’s veterans. You are the reason we are free, you are the reason we are able to enjoy our lives and watch football, you are the embodiment of this great nation. There can never be enough thanks for what you have sacrificed personally; with your family and friends; and for those no longer with us, their lives. As I grow older, I have come to realize and respect every day the efforts our veterans have put forth in order for the United States to be who they are. Thank you for your service, we as a nation are forever indebted.
Going into the showdown with the New Orleans Saints, the Bills were looking to get healthy and contend with their best talent out on the field. However, the injury report is looking a little longer from the beginning of the week with some of the key starters out for Sunday’s game. Today’s post will explain why the injury report isn’t sunshine and rainbows and the impact it will have on the game.
Already ruled out is OT Cordy Glenn and WR Zay Jones. Glenn has already missed some time this season to his forever injured ankle. I had detailed what I believe is going on during training camp and I believe this is an aggravation of this issue. If you would like to read up on more, please check out the article here; my opinion has not changed.
WR Zay Jones is out due to a newly diagnosed ankle injury. Yes, he injured his knee in the Jets game, that’s a fact. But as a result of the knee hyperextending, I believe that he suffered a high ankle sprain due to the excess force from the knee injury itself. The reason for this injury has been greatly detailed in my previous article and is well worth your time. As for return to play, until more is known, this is murky at best. A mild high ankle sprain will take 6 weeks to heal; if he only sprained his ankle by rolling it, it could be less, such as 1-2 weeks, but still miss some time. If you would like to read up more on high ankle sprains, click on this link or check out the previously linked Cordy Glenn article. Either way, Zay is missing this week and could miss more time once more information is released.
As mentioned often, TE Charles Clay has been dealing with a sprained MCL and torn meniscus. He had surgery to shave down the meniscus and has been rehabbing to regain the motion and strength in the knee to return to normal. Sunday will be 6 weeks since he originally injured the knee and is within line of expected recovery for this type of injury. I had originally anticipated that he would be out until the Colts game, however that was with IR to return designation. He was limited in practice this week, but barring any pain or swelling, should be able to return without any loss of function. He may be wearing some type of compression sleeve, but should not require any bulky bracing to prevent re-injury. As of today, he is listed as questionable going into Sunday.
CB E.J. Gaines has been dealing with soft tissue injuries all year including groin and hamstring injuries. This was clearly the right move to shut him down until he was fully healthy; nothing good comes from trying to play through injuries such as this. He was also a limited participant in practice but should return to bolster the secondary, especially with how much emphasis the Saints place on their passing game. He is also questionable for Sunday.
Finally, OT Seantrel Henderson found his way onto the injury report this week with a back injury. It is unknown when he sustained his injury, but as he has not appeared in a game this season, it most likely occurred in practice. He may be dealing with a pulled muscle in his back or a muscle contusion, but as there is little information on this, I can only speculate as to how it will affect him come Sunday if he even plays at all.
Clay, Gaines, and Henderson should play unless they do not feel they are ready when they are warming up Sunday. The team does have the depth required to keep up with some teams as they have shown already, but the Saints are a formidable opponent and the Bills even when healthy will have to bring their best in order to compete. The Bills are 4-0 at home and with the Saints being a dome team along with the poor weather bodes well for Buffalo in their chances at winning this game. As is every week in the NFL, any game can be won and this is no different. The Bills are coming off of a 10 day rest break and their poorest performance of the season. This should allow them to retool and find ways to win.
Continue to check back following the game with further injury updates and analysis. As always, thank you for reading, I enjoy writing these articles to educate my fellow Bills fans. For up to date reactions and news, follow me on Twitter at @kyletrimble88. Thank you for your time and GO BILLS!
