Immediately after the Buffalo Bills concluded the 2024 NFL Draft process, they went to work scouring the ranks to find the best remaining UDFAs. Many of the players signed will stay with the Bills through the offseason and training camp as they look to make one of the best rosters in the NFL.
As with every player, they each have injuries and various stops throughout their football careers. The article below will briefly summarize the injury concerns and highlight any issues moving forward. Below is the 2024 UDFA publicly reported injury history and analysis.
Note: look for this to be updated as signings occur following rookie minicamp.
Injury History
CB Te’Cory Couch, Miami
2021
Neck injury, missed half of spring football.
2022
Right shoulder injury, vs Middle Tennessee, left midway through game, able to return in fourth quarter.
EDGE Rondell Bothroyd, Oklahoma
2020 Wake Forest
ACL tear, side not specified.
2021 Wake Forest
Offseason shoulder labrum repair.
2022 Wake Forest
Ankle injury, missed 2 games.
EDGE David Ugwoegbu, Houston
No publicly reported injuries.
DT Branson Deen, Miami
2018 Purdue
Torn meniscus, medical redshirt.
2021 Purdue
Undisclosed injury vs Illinois, missed 0 games.
2023 Miami
Undisclosed lower body injury, missed 2 games.
CB Keni-H Lovely, Western Michigan
2018
Shoulder surgery, freshman year.
RB Frank Gore Jr, Southern Miss
2023
Foot injury, vs Tulane, missed 0 games.
WR Xavier Johnson, Ohio State
2018
Foot injury, redshirted.
2023
Foot injury, spring practices.
G Keaton Bills, Utah
2019
Knee injury, only appeared in three games, redshirted.
2021
Undisclosed injury, missed 2 games per Dane Brugler The Beast draft guide.
OL Gunner Britton, Auburn
2019 Western Kentucky
Undisclosed injuries, missed 1 game.
P Jack Browning, SDSU
2022
Left leg injury, vs Fresno State, finished the game but had to wear a brace on leg.
2023
Knee contusion, side not specified, vs Colorado State, missed second half.
WR Lawrence Keys, Tulane
2020 Notre Dame
Concussion, other undisclosed injuries.
2023
Ankle/foot injury, vs Tulsa, missed 4 games including bowl game.
OT Mike Edwards, Campbell
2019 Wake Forest
Concussion x 2, one during spring football, one during fall camp, lost feeling in left leg, was forced to be medically disqualified and missed following season.
2022 Campbell
Undisclosed injury, missed final 2 games, per Dane Brugler The Beast draft guide.
2023 Campbell
Undisclosed injury, missed first 2 games, per Dane Brugler The Beast draft guide.
Injury Analysis
As with any football player, there are injuries to account for. Many of the players had little to no information available due to the size of the school or had vague reporting at best.
The most concerning injuries are Rondell Bothroyd’s ACL and shoulder labrum repairs, Branson Deen’s meniscus, and Mike Edwards concussion history.
Bothroyd’s injuries were at least several years ago and besides his ankle injury, he has been more durable as of late. Deen’s meniscus was during his freshman year and having the repair vs the meniscectomy leads to better outcomes and a lesser chance for arthritis.
As for Edwards, the multiple concussions including one where he lost feeling in his leg is rather concerning. This is caused by damage to the somatosensory cortex in the brain and seen more commonly following a TBI or stroke, but can happen in concussions, though far less common. The article linked explains how and why this happens. The fact that he was medically cleared to return to football is promising but that past experience can’t be ignored.
The one notable thing is that Frank Gore Jr signed with the team just several years removed from his father, Frank Gore suited up for them. Gore Jr. certainly comes in with far less injury concerns out of college but could carve out a roster spot with a strong camp.
Overall, each of these players will have their opportunity to make their dreams come true and make an NFL roster. They have uphill battles, but none of them got here by luck alone. I wish them all the best in their journey and that they remain healthy
