The Buffalo Bills fell to 1-2 in the preseason with a 31-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Kids Day on Saturday. With the starters not playing out of an abundance of caution, this reduced the concern for many injuries and also allowed those fighting for their NFL lives to showcase why they belong.
Below are the injuries coming out of Saturday’s game and analysis.
In-Game Injuries
RB Darrynton Evans (Left Hamstring)
Evans was ruled out shortly after the third quarter started due to a hamstring injury and did not return.
Evans will be one to watch as the injury may be minor and he gets cut and brought back to the practice squad or he receives an injury settlement with a later return.
S Dee Delaney (Left Knee)
Delaney exited the game just over halfway left in the fourth quarter after he was hit, losing his balance and landing on his left leg with the knee fully extended. It looks as though he hyperextended his knee but was able to walk off under his own power.
He was later seen going for x-rays after the game to look for any possible structural damage to his knee. The concern is he could have a bone bruise, PCL sprain, or even hamstring. More information will have to be provided to determine how the team will move forward with cut down day looming especially as he is a veteran and may not want to go back on the practice squad.
RB Frank Gore Jr. (Left Knee)
Gore was the final injury of the day when he was taken down onto his left knee on a routine run late in the fourth quarter. He was in obvious discomfort as he crawled out of the pile as trainers tended to him. He was seen going to x-rays as well following Dee Delaney.
The initial concern is a PCL sprain or patellar subluxation due to falling directly on the knee as he was tackled, but ideally it was a bad contusion.
If he is brought back to the practice squad, we won’t hear much about the injury. But if he isn’t, then I’d expect to see a waived/injured designation and then spend the season on IR or an injury settlement.
Final Thoughts
Two knee injuries and a hamstring comprised the final preseason game but even during a normal week, this was relatively minor. We will get more information in the coming days as roster cuts begin to happen but these injuries are relatively inconsequential other than practice squad depth.
Stay tuned for all the latest IR designations, injury settlements, and roster gymnastics in the coming days.
Top Photo Credit: Pro Football Talk
