Now two weeks removed from his return to the active roster, it appears that the wait for Marcell Dareus to make his 2016 debut should stretch at least one week longer.
The standout defensive tackle will likely miss his second-straight game with a hamstring injury, which he sustained in the final practice prior to last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams. However, his replacement for the last five games, Corbin Bryant, is listed as questionable himself with an ankle injury. If Bryant can’t go, we’d likely see an increased role from both Leger Douzable and Jerel Worthy.
Aside from Dareus and Bryant, a few names are listed as questionable this week, highlighted by the NFL’s leading tackler, linebacker Zach Brown. Brown has been limited by a foot injury for the last two days after missing practice on Wednesday. Brandon Spikes, who saw a slight uptick in playing time against the Rams, would see a much larger role if Brown is out.
Offensive tackles Cordy Glenn and Cyrus Kouandjio are both listed as questionable with ankle injuries. Glenn missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited for the last two, a pattern that’s preceded both of his starts since returning against the Patriots, and should be good to go again this week. Kouandjio practiced Friday in a limited capacity, his first time on the field since rolling his ankle late in the Bills’ win over the Cardinals three weeks ago. Seantrel Henderson is back on the active roster and should be good to go, if necessary.
Punter Colton Schmidt, who had a monster game against the Rams, is questionable with an injury to his right quad (his kicking leg). The Bills brought back Marshall Morgan, who unsuccessfully competed with Dan Carpenter for a roster spot in the offseason, as insurance if Schmidt can’t go.
Tight end Charles Clay is still listed as questionable with a knee injury after skipping practice Wednesday. He’s been dealing with this injury for most of the season, but still played 50 snaps against the Rams last week. If he’s limited at all, the newly-acquired Gerald Christian (who played five snaps against the Rams) could see some more action on offense alongside Nick O’Leary.
Patrick Lewis is listed as questionable with a knee injury but has not been much of a factor for the Bills so far this season and would be a likely candidate to be scratched even if he was healthy.
In the secondary, both Corey White (shoulder) and Aaron Williams (ankle) are listed as questionable. White is still working his way back from an injury late in the Bills’ win over the Patriots two weeks ago on a muffed punt, one that saw him enter the concussion protocol for a time. Williams is no stranger to the injury report himself, but played most of the game against the Rams, only missing five snaps. Duke Williams and Jonathan Meeks both saw a (very) limited amount of playing time last week, and the same could be the case for them against San Francisco.