We waited all day for Sunday night for that? Absolutely brutal stuff. The Buffalo Bills were punched in the face 35-10 to drop to 3-1 on the season. This game just never got going for the Bills as they were lifeless and always seemed to be hitting a brick wall on both offense and defense. No one expected them to go 3-0 on a road trip, but it seems like the Bills underestimated the Ravens. They were in the AFC Championship game for a reason last year.
This is a great time for the Bills to reevaluate and get ready for the Houston Texans in Week 5. The hope is that they get some players back from injuries soon and heal up the injuries from this game. Below are the injuries from Sunday’s loss and analysis.
In-Game Injuries
C Connor McGovern (Head Check)
McGovern was pulled from the game after a successful second and inches early in the first quarter. The independent athletic trainers called down for McGovern to be assessed for a concussion and he was pulled into the blue medical tent.
There wasn’t much where he stuck his head, but if they observed unsteadiness or any other signs of a concussion, they have the ability to stop the game to call down for an assessment. Fortunately, McGovern was assessed and only missed several plays.
There was some confusion between the officials and medical staff when he could return but it was quickly corrected.
WR Khalil Shakir (Right Ankle)
Shortly after McGovern was being checked out for his head injury, Shakir required attention from the training staff following a catch up in the middle of the field. As he was taken down, there was concern for his right foot getting caught under one of the Ravens defenders, placing the foot into eversion and dorsiflexion which would cause a high-ankle sprain.
Fortunately, Shakir got his ankle taped up quickly on the sidelines and returned to finish the game. This would have minimized the ankle from swelling up immediately and prevented him from finishing the game. Following the game, he was seen in a walking boot and while that is not promising, this is standard procedure following ankle sprains especially on the flight home.
I still do have concern for a mild high-ankle sprain given the potential mechanism present. The ankle would have swollen up since he’s been home and even with all the rehab techniques and braces, the body still has to go through the inflammation process for healing.
I do expect him to be limited this week with practice but he could possibly play on it. This means there will be more pain and swelling. He would struggle running routes to his right and cutting inward to his right as that places the ankle into the dorsiflexion and eversion position, but if they keep him out to the left side or have him be more of a possession receiver, this might limit aggravating the issue. The problem with playing through the injury is that this won’t allow the ankle time to fully heal which means the injury will linger for several weeks.
Do not be surprised if his production dips over the next few games.
He is officially day-to-day and sore as expected.
S Taylor Rapp (Concussion)
Rapp exited the game after a brutal hit courtesy of Derrick Henry as he ran up the left side of the field. Rapp tried to dive and tackle him, hitting the tree trunk thighs with his left shoulder and the front of the thigh striking Rapp.
I had originally thought he suffered a shoulder injury and still may have, but the pressing concern is the concussion.
Even though Rapp wears a Q-Collar to reduce concussions, a hit like the one he took would have given anyone a concussion. This is Rapp’s second documented concussion and after the first one in 2021, missing three games. Each concussion is unique which means he could miss no time or extended time. He needs to pass through the league’s concussion protocol to be cleared to play.
QB Josh Allen/TE Dalton Kincaid (Back/Eye Poke)
Josh Allen and Dalton Kincaid were both injured on the same play but in different ways midway through the third quarter. Kincaid was poked in the eye by Marlon Humphrey, falling to the ground in pain. Fortunately, Kincaid did not require any further medical treatment on the sideline and did not have any injury designations.
As for Allen, he landed hard on his back/left buttocks after he received a late hit following his attempt to get his pass off. He was quickly assessed and returned to the game after a brief assessment.
On Monday, the team stated that Allen tweaked his back but that he is sore but nothing major. Given that he hit his back where there is plenty of soft tissue, I expect him to be sore. He will likely require some massage and chiropractic adjustments, but this shouldn’t be something that lingers unless he takes more hits to the area. Likely more hurt than injured.
LB Terrel Bernard (Left Pectoral)/CB Taron Johnson (Right Forearm Fracture)
Bernard continues to ramp up his level of activity and will return to practice doing more activity. I am hesitant to rush him back out there after two games missed, but if he is ready, the team has more information than I do at this time.
As for Johnson, Alex Brasky of the Batavia Daily News had indicated that Johnson appeared to be in pain last week and favoring his right arm after practice in the locker room. Whether he aggravated the healing bone with too much weight bearing activities or weight lifting activities is a guess, but it sounds like he will be brought along slower than anticipated.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason teams don’t go undefeated in the NFL; it’s simply too difficult. This was one of those nights that showed that every team has its flaws and can be exploited. The Bills get to rest and retool before they head down to Houston to face the Texans who are battling their injury issues.
Terrel Bernard and Taron Johnson hopefully can come back sooner rather than later because this defense needs it.
Top Photo Credit: Getty Images
