The Buffalo Bills moved to 8-6 following a 31-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Bills remain firmly in the AFC East title hunt and conference playoff race.
Fortunately, the Bills did not suffer many injuries Sunday which allow them to bring their full arsenal of firepower to Foxboro next week. However, COVID positive tests continue to wreak havoc on every NFL roster which could render the injuries to a mere footnote. Below are the injuries following Sunday’s win.
In-game injuries
CB Dane Jackson (Stinger)
Jackson briefly left the game with 10:40 left in the first quarter appearing to be shaken up following a routine tackle. He stayed on the turf while training staff tended him before jogging off.
He was later announced as having a stinger and questionable to return, but ultimately only missed several plays, appearing in 95 percent of the defensive snaps. Stingers occur as the result of a sudden overstretching or compression of the nerves within the neck or shoulder; this appeared to be the case with how he tackled. However, it isn’t clear which side was affected.
There is a chance that he could have a recurrence of stingers later on with repeated hits. If he continues to have more stingers, then there could be a concern that there is a disc issue or stenosis somewhere within the cervical region.
This is possible but no way of knowing unless he has repeated issues. For now, this appears to be a one-off issue that will be noted in case of future issues.
WR Cole Beasley (Left Hip/Leg)
Beasley briefly left the game grasping at his left buttocks/proximal hamstring area following a hard hit going out of bounds as seen below late in the 2nd quarter.
By video, it appears as this is more a pain issue with how he was hit and fell. I’m not certain he shows up on the injury report, but if he does, this could shed more light onto what he is dealing with.
It is important to note that he has played through likely broken ribs earlier this year which makes this injury minor by comparison.
CB Levi Wallace (Right Foot)
Wallace suffered a foot injury midway through the 4th quarter while defending a deep pass. It wasn’t clear initially what Wallace was dealing with but on replay, you can see that his right foot is stepped on by the receiver.
I don’t expect Wallace to show up on the injury report though I expect that he is dealing with some pain. Unless there is more information, there is little danger in him missing the next game.
Other observations
COVID/Reserve List
G Jon Feliciano
OT Dion Dawkins
LB Tyrel Dodson
DE AJ Epenesa
OT Bobby Hart
DE Mike Love
All six are currently on the COVID/Reserve list. Dodson was first placed on the list back on Tuesday December 14th followed by Dawkins on Friday December 17th and Feliciano on Sunday December 19th.
Epenesa, Hart, and Love were added on Monday December 20th.
Dawkins and Feliciano are vaccinated per previous reports and Dodson is also vaccinated based on his tweets below. All are likely symptomatic if they are still on the list and can come off once they are free of symptoms and test negative. This will be something that will be closely watched throughout the week.
Continue to watch closely for COVID cases to pop up for both the Bills and Patriots as Sunday inches closer. None of the injuries from Sunday should cause any time to be missed, though the Bills are still trying to get WR Emmanuel Sanders (right knee) ready for Sunday.
Top Photo Credit: ESPN
