Buffalo Bills injury report: Jordan Matthews could return this week

When wide receiver Jordan Matthews injured his thumb during the Buffalo Bills’ 23-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 1, the thought was Matthews would miss at least a month, but the the team received some good news on Monday. Turns out Matthews, the team’s number one wide receiver, could return to action on Sunday, when the Bills host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1 p.m. at New Era Field.

During Monday’s session with the media, first-year head coach Sean McDermott said Matthews is considered day-to-day with his injury, an improvement from the week-to-week where he had been listed. Matthews underwent surgery to repair the thumb, the second injury he suffered since the Bills acquired him via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in August for Ronald Darby and a third-round pick.

Matthews, who missed almost all of his offseason work with the team after chipping his sternum during his first practice with the team, had 10 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown through his first four games with the Bills.

Matthews "has made a tremendous amount of progress" in his efforts to recuperate from the thumb injury, McDermott said.

Matthews’ return to the field would certainly provide a spark to a Buffalo offense that struggled to move the ball during a 20-16 road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5. Buffalo mustered only 221 yards of total offense against the Bengals, including just 36 yards after halftime.

In other injury/practice news, TE Charles Clay (knee) and LB Ramon Humber (thumb) are both listed as week-to-week with their injuries and are not expected to suit up this week.

In the secondary, CBs E.J. Gaines (groin) and Leonard Johnson (hamstring) will both be limited participants in Monday's practice, while fellow CB Shareece Wright (back) will be a full participant at practice.

DT Marcell Dareus, who posted his first sack of the season against Cincinnati, was excused from practice for personal reasons. No more information was available.