Preseason Injury Review- Panthers

Football is back! The Bills opened the 2018 season with a preseason tilt against the Carolina Panthers with an unfavorable outcome in a 28-23 loss. Overall, it appeared as though the Bills played pretty well despite the loss with the QB competition beginning to parse itself out. Today’s post will review the injuries sustained in the Panthers game and what these mean going forward. Thankfully, the Bills didn’t suffer any season ending injuries and move onto next week against the Browns with a healthy roster.

Prior to the game WR Zay Jones, WR Corey Coleman, WR Cam Phillips, LB Corey Thompson, and DE Trent Murphy were all ruled out prior to the game. Jones did not play as he is still recovering from off-season knee surgery and while he is medically cleared, he is not quite ready to participate in full contact football. I expect that he should be ready next week against the Browns once he gets in better shape. It was reported that he was participating in 11-on-11 drills today at practice.

Coleman was ruled out due to his recent trade and inability to learn the offense quickly enough to participate. Prior to the acquisition, it was reported that he was having a strong training camp after initially being slowed up with a hamstring injury. It was not disclosed what Thompson is dealing with and no further information has been revealed since then. Phillips is still dealing with a groin injury sustained late last week in practice and is most likely what is still affecting his availability.

Finally, Murphy has been dealing what appears to be a Grade 1 groin strain. He has been limited in practice over the past week and the team is not willing to let their new DE injure himself further after coming back from an ACL tear which wiped out his entire 2017 season. Expect Murphy to play against the Browns barring any setback.

Following the loss, several players along the defensive line were reported injured which may affect their availability next week. First up is DT Star Lotulelei who suffered a back/neck injury. While I do not have video to fully assess the specifics, I can speculate that he may have sustained a trapezius injury. The trapezius muscle is a large muscle that covers the upper back and neck which provides support to the arms and shoulders which in turn assist in raising the arms. It also assists in extending the neck and adduction of the scapula which allows a person to pinch their shoulder blades together.

I suspect a trapezius injury due to the fact that the muscle covers such a large area, it connects from the head down to middle of the back as seen above and the nature of the injury falls in line with his positional duties. He may have sustained a neck injury which is affecting his upper back with movement. Typically, violent twisting or collisions cause trapezius injuries which could explain the back/neck designation due to the location. Either way, it was reportedly not severe which may limit his practice availability but should be able to play next week.

DT John Hughes suffered a groin injury and while there is not video, it appears to be a Grade 1 strain according to the team. He may ideally need a week off similar to what DE Trent Murphy is going through but Hughes may not have the opportunity to rest as he has not exactly stood out in practice and is in danger of being cut. DT Marquavius Lewis also suffered an ankle injury which may appear to be a mild lateral ankle sprain. This is something that Lewis should be able to play through with some rest and rehab along with taping to support the area.

Finally, WR Brandon Reilly suffered a rib injury as reported. Rib injuries are typically more painful limitations than functional issues. As it was reported not serious, it may be bruised ribs which will require rest and extra padding but could resolve over the next week with no long lasting issues.

Fortunately, the Bills did not suffer any major injuries unlike the Redskins and Colts who suffered ACL tears in their respective games last night. The Bills continue to manage their injuries effectively and have been fortuitous in maintaining their depth players. Expect to see all these players be available for next week against the Browns with continued limited participation from starters.

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