Buffalo Bills week 5 inactives: John Miller replaced

When the Buffalo Bills take the field against the Cincinnati Bengals today, they’ll do so without three starters. If they want to be 4-1 going into their bye week, they’ll need some reserves to step up once again. The inactive players today are:

WR Jordan Matthews

We’ve known about this one for some time. Buffalo’s leading outside receiver will miss at least this one and the Bills’ next two contests after the bye with what the team called a “thumb injury.” Buffalo only has 5 wide receivers active today in Zay Jones, Andre Holmes, Kaelin Clay, Brandon Tate, and Joe Webb. Combined, that group has 186 NFL receptions—and 108 of those belong to Andre Holmes. Someone needs to step up big-time.

LB Ramon Humber

Another one who isn’t a surprise, Humber also injured his thumb last week, and he will also miss around a month. Rookie Matt Milano, drafted in the fifth round this year out of Boston College, will be asked to step in for Buffalo’s leading tackler in 2017.

G John Miller

Clearly, the coaching staff isn’t happy with how the offensive line has performed early on this season. The first domino to fall is Miller, who will sit for the first time this year. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Vlad Ducasse, according to the Bills’ public relations team.

DT Jerel Worthy

After returning to the lineup last week following a long stint in concussion protocol, Worthy is again inactive. With Marcell Dareus assumedly back to full health, the team will go with 99, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, and Cedric Thornton at defensive tackle.

CB E.J. Gaines

The Bills tipped their hand earlier in the week regarding Gaines’s status for today when they promoted Greg Mabin to the active roster from the practice squad. Veteran Shareece Wright will start in place of Gaines.

TE Khari Lee

No surprise here, as he’s been a healthy scratch all season.

T Conor McDermott

With Cordy Glenn healthy, the Bills don’t need to activate the rookie tackle today. Interestingly enough, however, Dion Dawkins will start at left tackle in Glenn’s place. No word was provided as to whether or not this is merely precautionary, but one can assume that they’re starting Dawkins in an effort to better manage Glenn’s reps.

For the Bengals, tight end Tyler Eifert and wide receiver John Ross are both inactive, as expected. The rest of their inactives are below.