The Buffalo Bills just completed their first week of padded practices, finishing up with the return of the Blue and Red scrimmage Friday at Highmark Stadium.
While injuries are expected during preseason football, the Bills got beat up pretty good, especially at the safety and linebacker positions. The team is a week away from their Friday preseason game as they continue to flesh out first and second teams amid all the injuries.
Read below for a detailed analysis of the past week’s injuries.
To check out the rest of the AFC East, click here.
Injury Updates
OL Mike Edwards (Concussion/Undisclosed)
Edwards was on the sidelines during Sunday July 28 practice but was not dressed following an injury Friday. On Monday, July 30, it was revealed that he was in the concussion protocol. He was observed working off to the side performing cardiovascular activities indicating that he is at least in Stage 2 of the 5-stage concussion protocol.
On Tuesday, he was spotted in a red non-contact jersey working off to the side indicating potentially Stage 4 of the concussion protocol.
By Thursday August 1, it appears that he had cleared the concussion protocol and returned to practice. However, he required further medical attention from training staff for an undisclosed issue before returning.
OL Will Clapp (Elbow)
Clapp injured his elbow following a 1-on-1 rep, walking off on Sunday July 28 and was tended to by athletic trainers. He was unable to finish practice. He did not miss any further time.
WR Chase Claypool (Left Toe)
Claypool came up lame during a team drill, requiring attention from training staff for his left ankle/foot on July 28. It’s not clear how he hurt it but it’s important to highlight that this is the opposite side from the first day of camp where he injured his right foot/ankle.
On Monday, it was clarified that he injured his toe and missed practice all week. He was deemed day-to-day which meant he missed roughly a week of practice but it’s not clear if his toe was merely stepped on or if this is more of a turf toe injury.
RB Ty Johnson (Right Hamstring)
Johnson suffered a collision with Terrel Bernard during practice on July 29, grabbing at his leg before trainers tended to him and he was forced to leave the field.
On Tuesday, he was observed in a leg sleeve with an official diagnosis of a hamstring. Joe Marino of Locked On Bills noted that Johnson grabbed at his hamstring just prior to getting hit by Bernard.
He was able to return to rehab work off to the side using the heavy ropes
OT Travis Clayton (Right Shoulder)
Clayton missed Tuesday July 30 practice due to a right shoulder injury according to The Buffalo News and is officially day-to-day.
Prior to going out, he was observed wearing a shoulder harness on the right side.
OL Alec Anderson (Heat Exhaustion)
Anderson suffered heat exhaustion towards the end of practice on July 30, requiring the training staff to send him to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. He likely needed more fluids and to cool off before he was medically stable to be discharged.
After an off day, Anderson was able to return to practice without restriction.
OT Dion Dawkins (Undisclosed)
Dawkins had to briefly leave the field with a trainer during Thursday’s practice, returning roughly 15 minutes later. He was able to resume and finish practice on August 1.
OL La’el Collins (Knee)
Collins required assistance from training staff during practice on August 1 and was unable to return.
He was diagnosed with a knee injury and missed Friday’s practice, deemed day-to-day.
WR Justin Shorter (Left Leg)
Shortly after practice began on August 2 during the stadium scrimmage, Justin Shorter required attention from the training staff to assess his left leg.
Several minutes later, he was jogging and testing it out on the sidelines indicating this may have been a minor issue.
WR Mack Hollins (Undisclosed)
Hollins suffered an undisclosed lower body injury after an interception by Taron Johnson. The play was originally set to go to Curtis Samuel but was tipped. On the return, Ed Oliver blindsided Hollins and dragged him down to the turf. This may have simply been more of a hard hit than outright injury as he quickly returned to the field on August 2.
Defense
LB Nick Morrow (Hamstring/Undisclosed)
Trying to keep up with rookie Ray Davis during a play, Morrow came up lame holding his hamstring, speaking to trainers on July 28. Hopefully, this was cramping vs a strain.
On Friday August 2, he left practice early with an undisclosed injury during the scrimmage at the stadium. It’s not clear why he left with some greater clarity expected Sunday.
S Mike Edwards (Right Hamstring)
Edwards left practice for about 15 minutes with a trainer for unknown reasons but was able to return to practice shortly after on July 28.
On Monday July 29, it was revealed that Edwards would be week-to-week with a hamstring, later revealed to be on the right side according to an e-stim device when he was walking around after practice.
He is looking to return to practice potentially the week of August 11 or 18 based on past historical trends.
Additionally, it was revealed that Edwards underwent off-season surgery on his right shoulder which is why he missed most of OTAs according to Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News.
S Cole Bishop (Left Arm/Right Calf)
On July 30, Bishop left with training staff and was unable to finish practice. He was spotted after practice with his arm heavily wrapped, leading to concern and speculation for a day before it was revealed that he had a shoulder injury and would be week-to-week.
Based on the info we had prior, there was concern that the injury was to his scapula but it may appear to be more of an AC joint sprain.
This would fit in line with what the descriptor of the injury as seen below and how he presented at practice as seen below.
I am anticipating that he misses at least the next two weeks of practice as he rehabs but we will likely see him return to the sideline to work out early next week.
Bishop will also have the opportunity to rest his calf muscle that has been lingering dating back to rookie minicamp with a sleeve over the area during practice. He was observed with tape on the area indicating the problem is still an issue.
LB Terrel Bernard (Back)
During the August 2nd practice, Bernard went down with a back injury at the beginning of 7v7, going to the sidelines and stretching out his back, speaking to trainers. He returned after several minutes.
DL David Ugwoegbu (Undisclosed)
Ugwoeghu left with trainers into the locker room late into practice with an undisclosed ailment on August 2.
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (Arm)
Ulofoshio stuffed Darrynton Evans at the goal line before coming up holding his wrist as trainers helped him off on August 2. Without video, it’s difficult to discern what type of wrist injury he could be dealing with. However, there are other injuries where he could be holding his wrist such as the elbow and shoulder. This one requires more information first.
Vet Rest Days
7/29: LB Matt Milano, DE Von Miller, CB Taron Johnson
7/30: DT DaQuan Jones, LB Nick Morrow
8/2: LB Matt Milano, DE Von Miller
Other Injury Notes
TE Zach Davidson (Right ACL)
On Tuesday, OC Joe Brady noted that Davidson missed all of last season with a torn right ACL. He was placed on injured reserve on June 14. Was unable to participate in mandatory minicamp or OTA’s the week prior. Looking back, he began missing practice, off to the side that last week of May. It’s not clear when he underwent surgery but it was likely sometime in June.
This means he is over a year out and has looked solid so far. He was observed wearing a sleeve on his right leg strongly suggesting that this was the side he tore. There’s also a chance that he suffered some meniscus damage which could have complicated his recovery. He has returned and is fighting for a roster spot.
Other Observations
TE Dawson Knox (Right Knee)
Knox has been wearing sleeves on both legs at different times throughout OTAs and training camp, but he was sporting a brace with a pad over the knee and had some type of tape on the knee underneath. This is something to watch if it worsens.
DT DeWayne Carter (Left Shoulder)
Carter was spotted wearing a left shoulder harness during Thursday’s practice after not having worn one earlier and during his career at Duke. There were no reports of him requiring trainer assistance, but something to note if he begins to miss time. The harness may be more of a prophylactic measure to protect his arm, but worth mentioning.
RB James Cook (Personal)
Cook was excused from Sunday’s practice due to personal reasons. He returned on Monday.
Final Thoughts
The Bills got beat up good this week. Most of them smaller injuries but notable ones including Chase Claypool, Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards, and plenty of others.
While we do expect to miss guys here and there, the concern is when there are multiple injuries at one position like we see in the defense at linebacker and safety. Having the day off before they get ready to prepare for their first preseason game will only help.
Make sure to check back regularly and on Twitter for the latest injury updates.
Top Photo Credit: Getty Images
