The 3-0 Buffalo Bills head down to Maryland to face the 1-2 Baltimore Ravens in a matchup that could have not only AFC playoff implications but also a future playoff matchup given recent history.
Despite the differences in records, both teams are still highly competitive with the Ravens coming off an AFC Championship appearance and the Bills making the divisional round the last three seasons. Both teams carry superstar quarterback and talented defensive players making this game an exciting early-season matchup.
Read below for the full injury reports for both teams, projected inactives, and final thoughts.
Buffalo Bills Injury Report
OUT
CB Taron Johnson (Right forearm fracture)
On Wednesday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic asked Johnson about the specifics of his injury that has kept him out of the last two games. Johnson revealed that he suffered a crack in the forearm bone which usually necessitates a 4-to-6 week recovery timeframe.
While Johnson was ruled out already for Sunday, he was optimistic that he could play against the Texans. As noted above, this does take some time to heal from but the fact that this is bone and not nerve is more promising for a reliable return. When he does return, he will have a brace on the area to protect it as the bone continues to heal and remodel itself. I would expect that he can get out to practice in a red non-contact jersey next week. It’s unclear why he would be favoring the right forearm as he wasn’t engaging in any practice reps, but rehab may have irritated the area.
Given where Johnson was hit, I’m making the assumption that the ulna was fractured.
Considering the Bills need to make players inactive every week and if Johnson healed quicker than expected, they didn’t feel the need to use an IR spot already having designated two players to return in Darrynton Evans and Matt Milano. Even when he does return, I’m not concerned about re-injury as the bone would have been healed enough and the only way he re-injures the area is if he gets another direct blow to the area.
LB Terrel Bernard (Left Pectoral strain)
Bernard returned to practice on Thursday in a red non-contact jersey and looked really good going through the drills seen during the media session.
He was consistently engaging his left arm while wrapping up on the tackling bag, taking on blocks, and able to swat the ball out. While the pectoral is used in different ways during these drills or not at all, the fact that he can move his arm freely even with a harness is incredibly promising.
I had thought he would miss three games but the strain appears to have been less severe, making a Week 5 return very possible barring setbacks. Even when he does return, he will still have to wear a shoulder harness to protect the muscle to prevent further injury to the area. The hope is that he doesn’t exhibit the struggles that Matt Milano did back in 2020 after he returned in two games.
Bernard was interviewed on Friday indicating that he feels good but they have to do more testing to make sure he is ready. It’s also worth noting that when he does return, the hope is that he can perform all his positional duties.When Matt Milano returned in 2020, he was in only on obvious passing downs and was significantly limited at times which makes me think they could slow play this a bit more.
ACTIVE
QB Josh Allen (Left Hand)
Allen continues to require treatment on his left hand and wearing a glove on it during games indicates that this was much more than a contusion. Whether this is a sprain or even fracture remains unclear, but he continues to improve. He was able to participate with several quarterback runs on Monday indicating that he is feeling better.
TE Quintin Morris (Right Shoulder)
Morris continues to wear a right shoulder harness on his arm following a shoulder injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason. He likely dealing with a torn labrum and requires rehab to strengthen the surrounding musculature for stability to minimize subluxations or dislocations.
CB Kaiir Elam (Neck)
Elam was a surprise addition to the injury report after Tuesday’s press conference with a neck injury. Looking at the several plays he appeared in, this appeared to be the most likely instance that he injured himself on.
This may be more of a general neck sprain due to how the head snaps back. He does not have any known history with cervical stenosis or disc issues which means he may have been more sore than anything. He did not appear limited while participating in practice on Thursday but he was also not challenged much.
QB Mitch Trubisky (Left Knee)
Trubisky is still on the injury report indicating that his left knee still requires treatment despite suffering an MCL sprain against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason in mid-August.
INJURED RESERVE
OT Tylan Grable (Right Groin/Core Muscle)
On Thursday, the Bills moved Grable to injured reserve as he would be out for some time.
To understand the injury, check out the play he was injured on and the excerpt from Tuesday’s post.
Following an assessment by training staff on Tuesday, Grable has a core muscle/groin injury and will be out some time. The way this is worded suggests more of a core muscle tear which could require surgery at some point. Surgery will be indicated if he doesn’t respond to conservative rehab at first. The team may also know he needs surgery and just isn’t saying it yet. The roster transactions will be telling if they place him on injured reserve later this week.
Even as an offensive lineman, he could play through the injury but would be limited at times with his lateral movement, generating power from his right hip during blocking, and frequently deal with pain.
If he does require surgery, this isn’t a season-ending injury by any means but he could be out for a while depending on the severity of the injury. Outcomes are fantastic once players do return with nearly 95 percent returning to play (87.5 percent for OL) and an average missed time of 58 days for in-season repairs. If he did try to play through it, it’ll be pretty tricky and a very nagging injury.
I would expect updates here shortly or a post indicating that he is undergoing surgery.
Baltimore Ravens Injury Report
OUT
CB Jaylen Armour-Davis (Hamstring)
Armour-Davis was ruled out midway through the game with a hamstring injury after 54 percent of snaps and was unable to practice all week. Considering his positional demands and location of the injury, it wasn’t expected that he would be effective if he did play.
Update: Armour-Davis has been placed on Injured Reserve.
DOUBTFUL
G Andrew Voorhees (Ankle)
Voorhees, like every other offensive lineman this week, finished the game and appeared in every offensive snap Sunday. He was unable to practice all week and despite the doubtful designation, less than two percent of players suit up with that designation.
He was observed in a walking boot on Friday which further suggests a possible high-ankle sprain which would make playing this week very difficult.
DT Michael Pierce (Shoulder)
A new addition to the injury report, Pierce appeared in 31 percent of the defensive snaps on Sunday, similar snap counts in Week 1 and 2. He did not practice Wednesday but in full on Thursday and Friday suggesting that Wednesday was a maintenance day.
However, on Saturday, he was downgraded to doubtful which suggests he injured the shoulder again on Friday.
QUESTIONABLE
C Tyler Linderbaum (Knee)
Linderbaum appeared in every offensive snap on Sunday and didn’t even have any mention of him requiring attention from trainers on Sunday.
He steadily increased his practice participation, getting a full designation on Friday but has a questionable designations. I would expect that he does try to play given that Voorhees will likely miss and losing the starting guard and center will not lead to good outcomes.
ACTIVE
G Daniel Faalele (Hip)
Faalele played in 100 percent of snaps on Sunday and was able to practice in full all week.
OT Patrick Mekari (Neck)
Mekari appeared in every offensive play on Sunday and despite missing Wednesday, he returned to practice on Thursday and Friday and has no designation.
LB Josh Ross (Hip)
There was no indication as to when Ross injured his hip on Sunday. Considering he practiced in full and saw snaps only on special teams, this doesn’t appear to be a pressing issue.
LB Roquan Smith (Ankle)
Appearing for the first time this season on the injury report, Smith was limited Wednesday with an ankle designation despite playing in 100 percent of defensive snaps. He practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and has no designation.
S Ar’Darius Washington (Ankle)
Washington suffered an ankle injury with 8:02 left in the fourth quarter before returning with 5:26 left in the game. It’s not clear the specific injury but he was able to practice in full all week and has no designation.
Buffalo Bills Projected Inactives
LB Terrel Bernard
CB Taron Johnson
OL Will Clapp
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
S Mike Edwards
Baltimore Ravens Projected Inactives
CB Jaylen Armour-Davis (IR)
G Andrew Voorhees
S Beau Brade
WR Devontez Walker
DT Michael Pierce
Call Up: RB Chris Collier
Final Thoughts
This was a more challenging injury report to type up as there was a lot of informational was lacking regarding the Ravens. Usually, there are in-game reports, timestamps on the box score, or general public information. But in this instance, it seemed like many of the injuries were maintenance or occurred late where it’s not always apparent on film.
Both teams come into this game with talent on both sides of the ball but key weaknesses, too. For the Ravens, their offensive line injuries especially at guard and center could have Lamar Jackson pressured all night. With the Bills still missing Taron Johnson and Terrel Bernard hasn’t had much of a drop off, but with more tape available, the Ravens may find ways to exploit the back seven.
While the Ravens are favored -2.5 being the home team, the Bills could and should make this a very competitive game. The last time the Bills were in Baltimore, they left with a 23-20 win but suffered several injuries including Jamison Crowder with a broken ankle and Jordan Poyer with a punctured lung.
I expect the game to be competitive and close but turnovers and injuries could make either team run away with it. Let’s hope each team stays healthy and competitive.
Top Photo Credit: Mark Konezny- USA TODAY
