Addressing the secondary for the third time in the draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong in the sixth round. Needing to address cornerback depth and special teams, the Bills looked to Strong as someone who could do both. He was seen as a leader at Virginia Tech and also a strong tackler, both traits the Bills have come to value.
On top of that, Strong has shown to be available with a limited injury history.
Read below for Dorian Strong’s publicly reported injury history and analysis.
Injury Analysis
2020 Virginia Tech
No publicly reported injuries.
2021 Virginia Tech
No publicly reported injuries.
2022 Virginia Tech
Right hand fracture near base of thumb requiring surgery, vs Virginia, missed 7 games.
Strong suffered a thumb fracture when he attempted to tackle West Virginia’s Mike O’Laughlin. The tight end’s weight came down on Strong’s right hand, causing the bone to crack and chip. This led to the thumb to continue to dislocate, eventually requiring surgery.
2023 Virginia Tech
No publicly reported injuries.
2024 Virginia Tech
No publicly reported injuries.
Buffalo Bills Injury Analysis
Outside of the fracture, Strong has shown to be incredibly durable, starting 25 consecutive games following his injury over the last two seasons.
Evaluating the anatomy of the wrist, the carpals and distal ends of the radius & ulna make up the wrist as you can see in the picture below. There are eight bones within the wrist, making up two rows. There are also multiple ligaments in the wrist. Clinically significant ones include the scapholunate ligament, the lunotriquetral ligament, & the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), among others.
Looking at Strong’s injury, it’s not exactly clear which bone he broke in the hand. He could have suffered a proximal first metacarpal fracture also known as a Bennett’s or Rolando’s fracture based on severity. Up to 80 percent of thumb fractures involve the first metacarpal base with Bennett’s fractures being the most common. These types of fractures often see subluxation which could lead to full dislocation due to instability from the fracture.
Those that suffer a thumb fracture in the NFL miss more time (median, 55 days) than those with metacarpal fractures within the hand itself. Upon returning, there is no difference in games played, positional demands, experience, or anything against matched controls.
Final Thoughts
Outside of the fracture that cost Strong most of his 2022 season, there are zero concerns for Strong as he transitions to the NFL. I like that he has the ability to play on special teams and is a depth option at cornerback.
Strong has a tough but not impossible path to the roster with all the cornerback depth currently on the roster. Should injuries begin to occur in camp, poor play by others, or trades could open a role for him to make the roster. The Bills see his versatility at outside corner and nickel which means he should get plenty of opportunities to find where he fits at best in the defense.
I would like to wish Dorian Strong a warm welcome to the city of Buffalo and to remain healthy this season.
Top Photo Credit: Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire
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