The Bills continue to play with our emotions, winning their home finale against the Miami Dolphins 24-16 which brings their home record to 6-2. This is their best record at home since 1999 which everyone knows is the last time they made the playoffs. I have said on this site several times that I felt they had a playoff run in them; I have also stated that they are just about done. This is my fandom, living and dying week-to-week. I have been here once before as a fan in 2014 when the Bills lost to the Raiders after a rousing win against the Packers the week before. I also recall in 2004 when they played the Steelers at home and lost their chance at a playoff berth. These moments are fleeting during The Drought; as before, we must enjoy this and know that one day, they will make the playoffs again.
Before I let my emotions get the best of me, today’s post as always will be assessing injuries sustained in Sunday’s game. Thankfully, only CB E.J. Gaines was injured midway through the 3rd quarter during a tackle. Upon video review, he comes in low attempt to tackle TE Julius Thomas at which time Thomas turns to his right to absorb the blow, forcing Gaines down as he hits his left knee, rolls over and begins favoring it.
After multiple reviews, there is no planting or pivoting motions, there are no lateral movements, there is no specific mechanism of injury. I am initially stumped as to what his injury is; I suspect he hit it hard and just couldn’t play through it. At worst, he may have sustained a patellar fracture due to the direct hit on the knee, but that is an extreme case which I do not believe to have happened. More information may be released in the coming days, but there wasn’t anything that can indicate any specific injury. Losing him for any extended time will be costly as the team does suffer without his play in the secondary.
Other notes regarding injuries are RB LeSean McCoy, WR Kelvin Benjamin, QB Nathan Peterman, and OT Cordy Glenn. First up is Mccoy who appeared to be injured after reaching 10,000 yards and had to leave the game momentarily midway through the 2nd quarter. After seeing broadcast replay, he got the wind knocked out of him. Later in the 4th quarter, McCoy was hit in the backfield and twisted in the air, landing very hard on his right hip. He was able to get up but was in obvious pain as he walked off the field. He did not return to the game as the offense was no longer needed until victory formation. He may show up on the injury report with a hip injury but should be nothing that will keep him out for Sunday.
Benjamin will continue to show up on the injury report due to his meniscus tear sustained in the Chargers game but did not appear to be limited during this previous Sunday. It is worth mentioning that after the game Benjamin was asked about surgery on his knee after the season and he reported that he would require a procedure. He will most likely require a meniscectomy which involves shaving down the partially torn area to reduce pain, repeated swelling, and range of motion limitations. As he has already been cleared to play, he will most likely not sustain any further damage, but may limit his full abilities. Even injured, Benjamin brings big play abilities to the offense when given the ball.
Peterman has cleared the concussion protocol as of Monday. He appeared to be on track to clear before Sunday’s game, however he may still have been dealing with some dizziness or headaches during Friday’s practice which prevented full clearance. He will be valuable against the Patriots in case QB Tyrod Taylor goes down with an injury. Peterman has shown he can run the offense during the Colts game and can be a game manager.
Finally, Glenn has been placed on IR with his chronic foot/ankle issue which little information is known. I continue to believe he has some type of instability in that region which has prevented him from effectively producing. As has been the theme, specific information is limited which leaves a good portion to be guessed. I will be posting an article during the off-season on the type of procedure that I believe Glenn will be having and will be able to shed light on his availability for 2018.
After Wednesday’s injury report comes out, I expect more names to be added and more information known, specifically Gaines’ knee injury. As of right now, I’m still believing in this team for a playoff run. They still have to do their job, but they have to make the playoffs at some point; why not now? Like everything else, time will tell.
Continue to check back for updates regarding the injury report and any notable updates. Follow me on Twitter @kyletrimble88 for breaking news and my latest thoughts. As always, thank you for reading and GO BILLS!!
