The Buffalo Bills head south to take on the Miami Dolphins in a Week 10 divisional matchup. The Bills come into this game fresh off a decisive win over the Kansas City Chiefs to move to 6-2 while the Miami Dolphins were blown out by the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football, dropping them to 2-7 on the year.
These are two teams that just two seasons ago were fighting for the AFC East divisional crown in Week 18 with winner take all. The Bills won that game and the division en route to five consecutive titles while the Dolphins have regressed since then and appear to be on track towards a rebuild, already having parted with GM Chris Grier.
While these two teams are essentially lightyears apart, divisional rivalries can bring the best out of both teams and make this a competitive game. The Bills need to win in order to continue to fight for the top seed in the playoffs while the Dolphins would love to play spoilers. One equalizer is injuries as both teams are dealing with a long list of them.
Read below for the full analysis of each injury report and projected inactives.
BUFFALO BILLS INJURY REPORT
OUT
DE AJ Epenesa (Concussion)
Epenesa was a surprise addition to the injury report on Wednesday after it was reported that he would not practice on Wednesday. Looking at the game film, this appeared to be the best possible candidate for him to suffer a concussion when he took out Patrick Mahomes on the sideline. His head hit Mahomes and the ground before he was able to get up. He stayed in for eight more plays but must have had delayed symptoms, which led him to be placed in the protocol.
Last time he suffered a concussion, this was back in Week 11 of the 2020 season. He passed through the protocol quickly and was able to practice in full all week.
However, he was unable to practice all week and was ruled out on Friday.
LB Shaq Thompson (Hamstring)
Thompson continued to miss practice this week due to a hamstring strain suffered in practice last Wednesday, which saw him go from limited to did not participate on Thursday and Friday. This is potentially a recurrence of his hamstring strain from the preseason, which at the time was on the right side and saw him miss Week 2 because of the injury and what looked to be a broken hand.
He was unable to practice all week and was ruled out, missing his second consecutive game.
QUESTIONABLE
CB Christian Benford (Groin)
Benford was a surprising and concerning addition to the injury report on Wednesday, as he was not listed prior to practice, suggesting that he suffered the injury on Wednesday. This is not his first groin injury this season. He originally injured the area back on August 21, and the team was reluctant to disclose the injury until they had to.
He spent the first two weeks on the injury report with the injury, but did not miss any time. He has not been playing up to his level of play this year, which could suggest the groin injury has been lingering, but that is not a fact.
Regrettably, he was downgraded on Thursday but limited Friday. Considering the injury and recency, I’d sit him knowing you have Maxwell Hairston, Tre’Davious White, and Dane Jackson.
CB Taron Johnson (Groin)
Johnson suffered a groin strain in the Friday practice before Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, leaving him initially questionable before he was ruled out. No player since 2017 has suffered an injury on the last day of practice, been ruled questionable, and has played, Johnson continued that trend.
The team is taking it one day at a time and he didn’t practice on Wednesday. He was upgraded to limited Thursday and appeared to be moving relatively well as evident by his warm up jumping seen below.
DT DaQuan Jones (Left Calf)
Jones continued to miss practice this week after suffering a left calf injury during pregame warmups against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. Sean McDermott noted on Wednesday that Jones essentially had a veteran rest day as part of his rehab.
This has been one of the longer calf injuries we’ve seen that has not gone on injured reserve. He essentially missed Week 6, the bye in Week 7, Week 8, and Week 9. The original plan was likely to avoid injured reserve if they could, and not waste a return slot.
He was able to return to practice Thursday.
WR Joshua Palmer (Left Knee/Ankle)
Palmer continued to get limited reps in as he still recovers from a left high-ankle sprain and MCL knee sprain from the Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He was limited last week before being ruled out, but for him to miss two games and three weeks now isn’t necessarily concerning.
He appeared to have a compression sleeve on the left leg but no knee brace and minimal tape on the ankle.
ACTIVE
DT Jordan Phillips (Right Wrist)
Phillips made his first appearance on the injury report this season with an actual injury as he works through a wrist issue that saw him practice in full all week. He had his right wrist taped up throughout the game; this is the same one he dislocated against the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. This is potentially an irritation of that joint due to the tape and the fact that he didn’t have anything notable on film, favoring that side or hitting it awkwardly.
He further confirmed the side in practice on Thursday.
He does not have a designation and will suit up on Sunday.
LB Terrel Bernard (Right Ankle)
Bernard continues to manage his right low ankle sprain that he injured in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons. This is an ankle injury that he has chronically injured and has cost him several missed games over the last few years. He was active against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 but was only available as an emergency option. He was able to play in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs and appeared in 98 percent of snaps.
Given how this injury continues to crop up, this may linger off and on the remainder of the year. It is too soon to tell whether he will require surgery in the off-season, but if it continues to give him issues, I could see an opportunity to get this thing corrected.
S Sam Franklin (Illness)
Franklin was an addition to the injury report Thursday with an illness and did not practice before returning on Friday and without a game day designation.
DE Joey Bosa (Left Wrist)
Bosa made his first appearance on the injury report this season with a wrist designation, a surprise given his injury history. We see in several clips that he looked to injure each wrist at some point during the game, with the clip from Dom Tibbits of WKBW Channel 7 showing his left wrist in discomfort after completing a tackle.
This clip is from 7:09 left in the 3rd quarter.
This was further confirmed by seeing his left hand in a club during Thursday’s practice.
(Thank you to Burnin’BillsTakes on X for identifying the time stamp on the play above.)
Furthermore, Joe Marino of Locked on Bills had noted that Bosa had come off the field against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 holding his wrist. Based on when he had notified me and the game flow, this appeared to be the play, making it hard to distinguish how exactly he hurt the area.
Knowing he will have to wear this club, this won’t affect most of his pass rush moves other than grabbing his tackle or if he were to be in position for an interception.
RB James Cook (Right Ankle)
Cook was added to the injury report on Wednesday due to a foot/ankle issue that cropped up from Sunday’s win.
This happened early during the first drive of the game, where S Bryan Cook tackled him and looked to sit on or roll up onto his foot. He was able to jog off and immediately spoke to the athletic trainers, who taped him up several times. Despite the injury, he still ran 27 times and 114 yards, showing no ill effects of the injury. The injury was later described as soreness, which may suggest a mild sprain but something that he can work through.
Despite the taping and initial concerns, he stated that he would play Sunday.
MIAMI DOLPHINS INJURY REPORT
OUT
WR Dee Eskridge (Shoulder)
Eskridge suffered a shoulder injury in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons that led to him playing in just three total snaps before he exited for the night. Despite the injury, he was able to suit up on the short week and play 14 total snaps between offense and special teams, not far off his usual workload from this season.
Despite playing in Week 9, he appeared to aggravate his shoulder injury and was not able to practice all week. He was ruled out Friday morning.
DOUBTFUL
LB Chop Robinson (Concussion)
Robinson saw only five plays in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday after he was ruled out with a concussion.
His concussion happened at the end of the first quarter when he was hit from the side, dropping him to the turf. He managed to stay in one more snap before his night ended. The independent spotter either called something down, someone on the sideline saw something, or he self-reported symptoms on the sideline, forcing an evaluation and his removal from the game.
Unfortunately, even with the extra time odd, he was unable to practice until Friday with a limited practice, officially ruled doubtful, I don’t anticipate he clears.
CB Rasul Douglas (Foot/Ankle)
Douglas exited the Week 9 contest against the Baltimore Ravens sometime in the second half with what the team originally designated a toe injury before reclassifying it as a foot/ankle injury on the injury report. He played in only 64 percent of snaps, a significant decrease from his normal workload of nearly 100 percent this season.
The injury was significant enough that he was unable to practice all week and designated doubtful. Even if he suits up, I don’t see him being effective.
QUESTIONABLE
S Ashtyn Davis (Quadriceps)
Davis returned to practice this week after suffering a quadriceps strain on the first defensive series against the Atlanta Falcons. He was forced to miss the Baltimore Ravens game on the short week and with the minibye, he may still not be ready to go as he was limited all week and questionable. My expectation is that he attempts to go considering the other injuries in the secondary.
RB Ollie Gordon (Left Ankle)
Gordon was forced to leave Thursday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens after he had his left ankle tweaked with 2:58 left in the second quarter, as seen below.
By video, the mechanism for a high ankle was possible, but it looked as though he avoided it as the foot slipped out in time. This could be a mild eversion sprain, but whatever the exact injury is, it did limit Gordon from practicing in full during the week. He still gets most of his work on special teams and as a depth option at running back, but with how Buffalo’s run defense is, he could get spelled here and there when De’Von Achane needs a break. I expect he attempts to play.
TE Julian Hill (Ankle)
Hill has missed the last two games with an ankle injury suffered sometime during the Week 7 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. He was able to practice all week in a limited fashion. Based on this timeline, it sounds like this could have been a high-ankle which means he could play on Sunday. I expect he tries to play.
S Ifeatu Melifonwu (Thumb/Foot)
Melifonwu suffered a hand injury in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons that likely was categorized as a thumb in the third quarter. In Week 9, he suffered a toe injury and was questionable to return and ultimately did not, playing just 10 snaps.
He did not practice on Wednesday before being upgraded to limited on Thursday. He was also limited Friday and has a realistic chance to play but could sit out due to the recency of the injury.
ACTIVE
LB Bradley Chubb (Foot)
Chubb continues to work through a foot injury that dates back to Week 9 when he was on the injury report with both foot and shoulder injuries. His workload has not changed much week to week, playing anywhere from mid-60’s to mid-70’s percentage of snaps.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Thumb)
Fitzpatrick has been working through a thumb injury for the last two weeks, but has not missed any of his regular workload.
He was able to practice in full all week and has no designation.
FB Alec Ingold (Neck)
Ingold has been battling a neck injury off and on recentl,y first appearing on the injury report with a neck designation ahead of Week 7 before getting removed. He went back on ahead of Week 9 and 10 but has no designation heading into Sunday.
He was able to practice in full all week and has no designation.
S Dante Trader Jr (Shoulder)
Trader has been dealing with a shoulder injury dating back to Week 7 when he first appeared on the injury report. He sees a ton of work on special teams but has seen the most snaps on defense the last two weeks as a rookie.
He was able to practice in full all week and has no designation.
WR Jaylen Waddle (Foot)
Waddle was a new addition to the injury report this week with a foot designation but was able to practice in full, indicating this is a minor problem.
Buffalo Bills Projected Inactives
DE AJ Epenesa
CB Christian Benford
LB Shaq Thompson
OL Chase Lundt
CB Taron Johnson
OL Ryan Van Demark
Call Ups: CB Dane Jackson
Miami Dolphins Projected Inactives
WR Dee Eskridge
LB Chop Robinson
CB Rasul Douglas
S Ifeatu Melifonwu
DT Zeek Biggers
QB Quinn Ewers
Call Ups: LB Quinton Bell
Final Thoughts
The Bills are favored -9.5 according to ESPN which makes them a pretty overwhelming favorite to win this game and move to 7-2 on the season. The Bills did win by 10 last time but it was tied early in the fourth quarter which means Miami can’t be underestimated. Buffalo needs to go in and execute their game plan even with their missing players without letting Miami get going.
However, turnovers and mistakes can help keep the Dolphins in this one and could lead to a more frustrating day for the Bills if they don’t come in focused. The Bills have an opportunity to get several players rest and others key reps against a familiar opponent this week. As always, I hope each team gets through this game without any injuries and that it is a competitive game.
Top Photo Credit: NFL.com
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