Week 8 in the AFC East kicked off Thursday night with the Buffalo Bills hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This was followed by two games on Sunday with the New York Jets playing the New York Giants as the away team and the Miami Dolphins hosting the New England Patriots.
Injuries around the division have had an impact on each roster so far this season but with varying outcomes. The Buffalo Bills have fallen back to earth after losing several key defensive starters during the month of October, hovering just above .500 at 4-3. After a rough start losing Aaron Rodgers and Alijah Vera-Tucker to Achilles tears, the Jets have hung tough at 3-3. Lacking depth due to injuries but remaining in the mix at 2-5 are the New England Patriots. And finally, at 5-2 and in control of the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins continue to steadily move along taking care of business.
Reporting note: Due to the high volume of injuries for each AFC East team each week along with many players showing up weekly, there will be changes in the reporting and analysis.
New injuries will be broken down with available information every week. If there is not any additional details or insight into an injury other than designation, it will not be addressed. If a player is on the injury report for consecutive weeks, he will not be addressed unless there is a notable change in status.
As always, you can always check past injury reports or for further questions, you can contact me at @BangedUpBills on X, Instagram, or Reddit.
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Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots | New York Jets | Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
QUESTIONABLE
S Jevon Holland (Concussion)
After initially cleared from a concussion check to return to the game following a collision with teammate David Long Sunday, Holland self-reported symptoms on Monday and was placed in the concussion protocol.
By Thursday, he was in a non-contact jersey participating in practice which is a positive sign considering most players this season are not passing through the protocol in a week.
On Friday, he was in full uniform but officially limited. He now needs to have an assessment from the independent neurologist to determine if he is cleared.
RB Raheem Mostert (Ankle)
Mostert appeared on the injury report this week with an ankle injury without any additional details. He missed Wednesday’s practice before returning in a limited role Thursday and Friday. Despite the questionable designation, he has come out and stated that he will play.
CB Xavien Howard (Groin)
After missing last week with a groin injury suffered in Week 6, Howard was able to get in limited practices all week and is officially questionable heading into Sunday.
CB Nik Needham (Achilles)
Needham was officially activated this week to the active roster following starting the season on PUP following his Achilles tear in Week 6 last season.
CB Jalen Ramsey (Left Knee)
Ramsey’s window to practice was opened last week as he returned from his left meniscal repair in his knee during the first week of training camp. He had a relatively small tear on the outer rim of the meniscus which was trimmed and repaired, allowing for a quicker return. He had some words with ESPN on Thursday as to whether he would suit up on Sunday.
Even if he does return, he will still not be quite crisp in his movements and take some time to get back up to speed. Initial reports played it up as though this was a bigger meniscal tear but it’s fortunate that he did not which allowed for a quicker return.
CB Cam Smith (Foot)
Smith injured his foot in practice on Wednesday and was seen in a walking boot the following day. While walking boots are precautionary, that is not typically a good sign for being available to play on Sunday.
RB Alec Ingold (Foot)
CB Kader Kohou (Neck)
WR River Cracraft (Shoulder)
Each of these players has not had any notable changes in their status other than Cracraft opened his 21-day practice window following his Week 4 shoulder injury. Ingold and Cracraft are questionable.
ACTIVE
WR Jaylen Waddle (Back)
Waddle exited Sunday night’s game with back spasms that required a heating pad to help manage symptoms. Despite being limited all week, he does not have a game-day designation and will play Sunday.
C Connor Williams (Groin)
After being inactive the last two games and three out of four following a Week 3 groin injury, Williams appears to be on track to play Sunday. Despite the team stating that he did not tear his groin, he at best reinjured it in Week 5 despite playing in 100 percent of snaps and at worst, is working through a core muscle injury. I’m leaning towards the latter with the expectation that he continues to deal with the groin injury all season.
LB David Long (Knee/Concussion Protocol)
Long collided with Jevon Holland late in the game and underwent a concussion check. Due to not getting an update and being cleared, he had to be on the injury report this week due to transparency. As for the knee injury, there isn’t any additional information. He does not have a designation and will play on Sunday.
WR Tyreek Hill (Hip)
Hill said on Thursday that he would play Sunday after missing Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury. Looking at the video below, there wasn’t much to consider, but Hill has been pretty durable, not missing a game since 2020, and has been effective even when on the injury report.
New England Patriots
OUT
OL Calvin Anderson (Illness)
Anderson is out with an illness ahead of Sunday’s contest. While having an illness is not newsworthy, he spent most of the training camp on the non-football injury list due to an illness. The hope is that this illness is not the same as earlier in the year.
QUESTIONABLE
DE Keion White (Concussion)
White is officially questionable as he works through the concussion protocol after missing last week’s game. It remains to be seen if he is cleared.
OT Trent Brown (Ankle/Right Knee)
Brown got his right leg rolled up on Sunday as seen in the play below. He had a brace put on and returned to the game, but was limited all this week. By video, the concern is a high-ankle sprain or MCL sprain. Considering they listed both body parts, it could very well be the case. He could play through either injury, but his effectiveness may be in question.
LB Josh Uche (Ankle/Toe)
While the status of Uche has not changed much, he was on the injury report last week with a knee/ankle designation which makes the transition to an ankle/toe interesting. I have not been able to find any additional info on the injury, but the designation changes which may shed light on the injury later on.
DL Deatrich Wise (Shoulder)
Wise was limited all week with a shoulder injury after playing in 96 percent of defensive snaps last week.
OL Vederian Lowe (Ankle)
Lowe left Sunday’s game shortly after Trent Brown left late in the second half. Despite watching the game, there was not a clear mechanism of injury. Both him and Brown were limited which means this may come down to whoever can go, the other one will sit.
CB Jonathan Jones (Knee)
CB Shaun Wade (Shoulder)
G Cole Strange (Knee)
DL Davon Godchaux (Left Ankle)
DL Christian Barmore (Right Knee)
TE Hunter Henry (Ankle)
All the players above have not had their situation change on the injury report since last week. Those questionable include Jones and Wade, both played last week.
New York Jets
OUT
OL Joe Tippmann (Quad)
Tippmann will be out after suffering a quadriceps injury in Week 7. If I recall correctly, Tippmann was stepped on and then ran into, exposing his leg to the full force of the hit which may lead to this being more of a contusion. The pain and swelling may be significant enough that he can not fully perform.
DOUBTFUL
WR Irv Charles (Shoulder)
Charles saw several snaps on offense and most of his playing time on special teams but suffered a shoulder injury and is officially doubtful this Sunday. Doubtful players rarely play and unless he is needed from a body on the roster standpoint, I don’t expect he plays.
QUESTIONABLE
WR Randall Cobb (Shoulder)
Cobb suffered a shoulder injury against the Eagles in Week 6 before leaving and then using the bye to get healthier. He is still officially questionable, but limited practices on Thursday and Friday may allow him to suit up.
CB Michael Carter II (Hamstring)
Carter suffered a hamstring strain early in the fourth quarter trying to cover AJ Brown in Week 6. Having the well-timed bye, he has a chance at playing Sunday especially since he logged a full practice on Friday.
DL Will McDonald (Back)
McDonald suffered a back injury in practice Friday but was able to get in a full practice. This suggests that his back may have given him problems following practice. He may be a true questionable based on how warmups go on Sunday.
ACTIVE
CB Brandin Echols (Hamstring)
Echols will suit up as he looks to be fully recovered from his hamstring strain originally suffered in Week 2. He then missed one game, returned in Week 4, then missed the last two games plus the bye.
DE Jermaine Johnson (Foot)
Johnson practiced in full all week despite a foot injury and will play Sunday.
CB Sauce Gardner (Concussion)
Gardner has been cleared to return to play after initially being questionable with an illness before downgrading to a concussion the Friday before Week 6. Having two weeks off has allowed him to get fully healthy.
CB DJ Reed (Concussion)
Reed has been out with a concussion since suffering one in Week 4 and has since been cleared to return for Week 8.
DL Michael Clemons (Ankle)
OT Mekhi Becton (Left Knee)
No new information is available for either player.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills played already in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their injury report can be found here.
Top Photo Credit: Phinsider.com
