Ten straight preseason wins, not that it counts for much, but ten consecutive games won is still impressive nonetheless. The Buffalo Bills dismantled the Denver Broncos 42-15 on Kids Day at the stadium despite most starters playing just several series or at most the first half.
To top it off, the Bills did not appear to suffer any significant injuries. Below are the notable injuries from the game and observations over the past week.
In-game injuries
CB Nick McCloud (Cheek laceration)
McCloud briefly left the game following the second kickoff of the game in the first half with a cheek laceration. He was hit by Denver returner Montrell Washington with a knee to the face, opening up a cut on his right cheekbone. Game updates indicated he required six stitches to close the laceration and returned to the game.
While the helmets and face masks do prevent a lot of injuries, events like this still occur when things get inside the face mask. Fortunately, he did not sustain a concussion and the only lasting effect of the injury is a potential scar.
Other observations
DT Tim Settle (Calf)
Settle missed the entire week of practice after it was revealed that he was dealing with a calf injury. It isn’t clear when he suffered the injury, but he began missing practice on August 17 and did not even suit up for the game Saturday.
Even if the injury was caught on film, it’s difficult to interpret how severe the injury is and how much time he would miss. For comparison, fellow DT Eli Ankou missed 19 days following his calf injury to begin training camp before returning late during the first week of August.
Considering the relative lack of information we have gotten on the injury, it’s unlikely he would head to IR to begin the season and his resting solidifies his roster spot, not that it was in jeopardy. Hopefully, this is more precautionary and he returns to practice sooner than later.
DE Kingsley Jonathan (Ankle)
Jonathan also missed all of the practices and the game this week dealing with an ankle injury, at one point observed in a boot on Wednesday, side not specified.
His ankle injury also isn’t clear when he suffered the injury, either in the game or at practice. As a UDFA fighting for a reserve role as a defensive end and on special teams, missing any time could be a huge detriment to his chances of making the roster. He has flashed at times during the preseason and could be a nice developmental player if he can get healthy in time.
OT Tommy Doyle (Right foot)
Doyle did not practice all week after being seen on a scooter with a boot on his foot on August 14.
No updates have been given since then and it’s still not clear what his injury exactly is. It’s too soon to tell if he could be an IR candidate to start the season or if this is precautionary as his roster spot is virtually assured.
CB Cam Lewis (Right forearm)
During a routine interview, Lewis revealed that he continues to deal with a chronic bone infection from a broken forearm and thumb suffered during his junior year at UB in 2017.
Without diving too deep into what the possible infection could be, it’s something that is there, the Bills are aware of it and it hasn’t stopped him from passing a physical.
If he suffers an injury to the area later, that may impact his return timeline, but far from a guarantee. This is more of an observation that adds context to a previous injury.
Quick Hits
- S Micah Hyde, WR Tavon Austin, and DT DaQuan Jones missed some practice last week due to general soreness/maintenance. This is quite common for older players and is of no concern.
- LB Tyrel Dodson returned to practice last Tuesday after missing most of the previous week with a left leg issue that saw him wearing a compression sleeve during rehab drills.
- RB Zack Moss discussed how his ankle injury against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2020 playoffs significantly hampered him during the 2021 season, finally feeling better heading into the 2022 season.
- There are still no updates on Marquez Stevenson, Ike Boettger, or Tre’Davious White as of publication. Stevenson continues to be an IR candidate to start the season following surgery on his right foot at the beginning of the month.
- Boettger is expected to move to reserve/PUP to begin the season and can go over there as soon as August 23 to allow the team to cut down the roster to 80 players.
- The team continues to be coy regarding the status of White, but personally, I expect him to be activated later this week or right at cut-down day on August 30. If he remains on PUP to begin the season, there is some information or setbacks that we don’t know that would go into that decision. They could put him on PUP to save a roster spot, but I don’t believe he will want to sit on the sidelines another month as the season begins.
The Bills head down to Charlotte to play the Carolina Panthers on Friday, giving a shorter turnaround time and as the last dress rehearsal for players fighting for their roster spots prior to August 30 cut down to 53 players.
Buffalo has an off day on Sunday with practice likely for Monday along with injury and game updates, providing new information and hints on what the Bills may do for the 80 player cut down on Tuesday.
Top Photo Credit: The Buffalo News/James P McCoy
