The Buffalo Bills wrapped up their preseason slate winning in a late game comeback over the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-27 to end the preseason at 3-0. The game was rather uninspiring to watch but incredibly important for many players fighting for their football lives as roster cuts loom.
Despite the lackluster play but exciting finish, the team managed to come out of the game pretty healthy. Read below for a full injury analysis.
In Game Injuries
QB Shane Buchele (Left Elbow)
Buchele was sacked with 5:10 left in the first quarter and appeared to hyperextend his elbow as he braced for the fall. Between the grass and that the Steelers defender pulled Buchele up over himself, that brought a lot of force away from Buchele’s elbow.
Buchele came up grabbing at the elbow and shaking it out after he walked off the field. However, this appeared to be more hurt than injured as Buchele was able to play the entire game.
DT Zane Durant (Left Shoulder)
Durant exited Thursday’s game with 13:40 left in the fourth quarter after a routine play as seen below. He begins to block as the rep develops before he pushes through the line and looks to get sandwiched between 71 and 73 on the Steelers offensive line.
Based on how he was sandwiched and his head shoved left along with his arm dangling running off the field, it looked as though he suffered a stinger. He did require attention in the blue medical tent and did not return to the game. These typically do not linger or affect performance moving forward.
TE Shane Zylstra (Right Foot)
Zylstra limped off the field following the Ian Wheeler touchdown late in the game that tied the game and set up the game winning two-point conversions.
It’s incredibly difficult to see but it’s possible that Zylstra’s right foot was stepped on as Wheeler exploded through the hole behind him. The broadcast noted that Zylstra limped off the field but it wasn’t clear what the exact body part injured was.
It’s too soon to tell if this was more hurt than injured, but we need more information to determine if this is his foot or another body part.
Other Observations
WR Keon Coleman (Right Foot/Toe)
Coleman was spotted out of the walking boot after suffering his right foot/toe injury on August 15 against the Carolina Panthers. He was running on Tuesday but seeing that he’s not back in a boot indicates he did not suffer a setback. I’m hoping that he can begin to return to practice next week.
OL Jude Bowry (Left Leg)
After suffering a possible left calf injury in the preseason win over the Cleveland Browns, Bowry was placed in a walking boot when he was spotted at practice on Tuesday.
The details of the injury are unavailable but Nick Sabato noted that Bowry was out of the boot on Thursday indicating that this may not be as significant of an injury as we originally thought.
WR Mecole Hardman (Undisclosed)
After missing practice on Tuesday, August 25, Hardman was able to return and play in Thursday’s game.
Final Thoughts
The Bills got out of the preseason avoiding major injury and only placing one player on season-ending injured reserve in LB Demetrius Flannagan-Fowles. Most of the injured have been either on the minor side or precautionary other than Connor McGovern, Ty Johnson, and Keon Coleman who all appear to be improving.
The next step is roster cut downs on Sunday where we will see outright cuts, injured reserve placements, injury settlements, and any other creative roster transactions to get creative to hold onto as many players as possible.
Check back often for updates along with roster cut downs and a training camp injury analysis.
Top Photo Credit: Associated Press
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