The Buffalo Bills have shown they can go toe to toe with anyone in the NFL and come out the other side victorious. The latest example of this comes following a 48-42 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday to move to 11-3 on the season.
It was a high-scoring and incredibly physical game that saw both teams deal with a variety of injuries of varying severity. The Bills suffered several notable injuries though most, if not all appear to be more of the short term variety as compared to the Lions who lost at least two players to season-ending injuries.
Below are the injuries coming out of Sunday’s win and analysis.
In-Game Injuries
LB Dorian Williams (Left Elbow)
Williams quietly left the game following a left elbow injury late in the second quarter when he got his arm sandwiched between a Lions offensive player and Terrel Bernard falling into the arm. By video, it looks as though he suffered an elbow hyperextension and was initially questionable to return.
He eventually did return right before the two-minute warning in the game after Matt Milano went down with his own injury. He struggled to wrap up tackles and engage blocks with the elbow heavily taped.
Following the game, he was observed in the locker room without any tape on the area and using the arm to get undressed. This at least tells us the injury appears to be more mild but it remains to be seen how much the elbow swells up and if there is any associated damage. This does not appear to be the same severity of when Jordan Poyer suffered his elbow hyperextension back in 2022, but same injury.
Most elbow injuries do not require surgery and there is a chance that he could miss a game to allow the area to recover. Considering the opponent and that the division is locked up, it would be best to sit him next week against the Patriots, but practice this week will indicate how well he is doing.
He was listed as day-to-day which fits in line with his potential availability come Sunday.
WR Curtis Samuel (Left Shoulder)
Samuel had to briefly leave the game following a pass he was unable to wrangle in late in the second quarter. He stayed in for one more play before he began jogging to the locker room.
By video, he may have suffered a mild AC joint sprain once he realized the pain began setting in. It’s entirely possible he required an injection during halftime to numb the area up and returned to finish the game.
He did not have anything on either shoulder but this is the opposite shoulder he injured back in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans. He was designated as day-to-day on Monday which means watching his practice participation will be key this week.
S Cole Bishop (Cramping)
Bishop was forced to leave the game early in the fourth quarter due to cramping in his lower legs. He required the cart to get back to the locker room and had an IV placed to rehydrate him. He was unable to return to the game but there is zero concerns for his availability come Sunday against the Patriots.
OT Spencer Brown (Head)
Brown was forced to leave the game late in the fourth quarter when he took a shot to his head that appeared to suffer a stinger on initial watch. The trainers were rubbing out his left trapezius/shoulder area while he was down on the ground before he got up to walk off the field.
It was reported later that he was being evaluated for a head injury and did not return. Stingers can prompt a concussion check in the game which is also why he likely did not return to the game.
He was listed as ok on Monday indicating that he is not in concussion protocol.
LB Matt Milano (Groin)
Milano quietly left the game late in the third quarter when he appeared to strain his groin. The video isn’t great, but you can see how he’s running across the field and stumbles before he falls. It’s entirely possible he tweaked his groin trying to stay upright.
Historically, the Bills have done well with groin strains with rehabbing these guys and getting them back out on the field. Players miss just under a game which means Milano is in danger of missing Week 16 against the New England Patriots, but considering his age and coming back from his other injuries, it would be best to sit him.
QB Josh Allen (Right Shoulder)
Allen suffered two hard hits to his right shoulder both in the fourth quarter as noted below. He went for x-rays after the game after he suffered a “funky fall” and had them for peace of mind.
On Monday, he had several further tests and everything was all good. At worst, he suffered a mild AC joint sprain, an injury that he played through last year. Considering the schedule over the next three weeks, this can be ample time to have Allen rest his body for the playoffs. Injection and take to the area will help on game days but we shouldn’t see a significant drop off in production.
Final Thoughts
The Bills took a beating injury wise but nothing appears to be long lasting. They also won this game without their starting cornerback and two safeties which I feel like would sink other teams.
Health wise, the Bills are looking good heading into this final stretch of divisional games. They’re still fighting for that number one seed which means starters are not resting quite yet. The Patriots and Jets are out of it but would love to steal a divisional win to end on a high note.
I expect the injury report to be longer this week, but that is the nature of the sport. The Bills can play and beat any team any week, let’s hope they can string it together in the playoffs.
Top Photo Credit: Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
