One week after the team’s shortest injury report of the season, the Bills are back to filling up the page this week.
Fourteen players have made appearances on the list this week, including several notable names. Of course, it’s not uncommon for most of the players who are listed as questionable to suit up and contribute, so the extra names shouldn’t be a huge deal this week.
The biggest injuries of the week come from the skill positions. Wide receiver Robert Woods will miss the game against the Jaguars after suffering an ugly knee injury in the win over the Bengals last Sunday, and running back Mike Gillislee will also miss the contest after injuring his hamstring in practice on Wednesday. Gillislee was just starting to increase his role in the offense after some great performances over the last few weeks. With his injury, rookie Jonathan Williams should be in line for more carries this week.
Speaking of injuries to players at skill positions, running back LeSean McCoy is questionable with the thumb injury that kept him out of the second half against the Bengals. He had a corrective surgery earlier in the week, and while he’s been limited in practice there doesn’t seem to be any concern that he’ll miss this week’s tilt.
Safety Robert Blanton will miss the game with a foot injury he suffered at the end of the game on Sunday. The struggling Blanton lost some playing time to newly-signed James Ihedgbo against the Bengals, so look for him to have a larger role against the Jaguars on Sunday.
Two players missed the last two practices after being full-go on Wednesday, neither of whom are suffering an injury. Wide receiver Percy Harvin has an undefined illness, something that’s always hard to read when it comes to projecting someone’s playing status. Offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, on the other hand, is dealing with some “non-football” issues that reportedly could land him on suspension for the second time this year. He saw his first action of the season last week, splitting time at right tackle with Jordan Mills. Obviously, if Henderson returns to the sidelines Mills would reclaim those snaps.
Injury report mainstays Charles Clay (knee) and Cordy Glenn (back) both returned to the list after a week off. Both missed practice Wednesday and were limited the last two days. Jerry Hughes (hand) also remained on the list for the umpteenth week in a row, and was limited all week. All three will play, as usual.
Two interesting names on the report this week were linebacker Shaq Lawson (thumb) and quarterback Tyrod Taylor (right shoulder). Obviously, those are two huge names, but the circumstances are a bit odd. Both players have been full participants in practice all week. It’s weird to even see their names on the list, but both players should be fine to play.
Defensive tackle Corbin Bryant (shoulder) and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (ankle) are questionable against the Jaguars. Bryant hasn’t played since the loss to the Patriots a month ago, while Alexander played a season-high 71 snaps against the Bengals. Bryant will return to a backup role (if he plays) behind Marcell Dareus. If Alexander has any issues, Lawson will probably see his snap count jump against the Jaguars.
Finally, wide receiver Sammy Watkins is listed on the report as questionable with the foot injury that has kept him off the field for all but two games this season. While he is on the report, the Bills haven’t yet activated him to the main roster. The situation is similar to earlier in the season, when Henderson and Dareus came off their suspensions; there is a window wherein he can practice with the team without being activated (three weeks from Wednesday, which would be December 14).
Of course, listening to Rex Ryan makes it sound like Watkins is going to be ready to go on Sunday:
Rex Ryan says Sammy Watkins is "good to go" and "we're definitely going to get him in there." https://t.co/FlCCGvK7dH
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) November 25, 2016
To be eligible to play against the Jaguars, Watkins needs to be activated by tomorrow afternoon. At this point, that seems like a formality.