The Buffalo Bills improved their playoff chances thanks to Sunday’s 24-16 win over the Miami Dolphins in the regular-season home finale at New Era Field, and the team will be relatively healthy heading into the work week.
Cornerback EJ Gaines, who has battled an assortment of injuries this year, was the only Bills (8-6) player to sustain an injury during the win over the Dolphins. Gaines departed in the third quarter with a knee injury after coming up empty on a tackle attempt. He was carted to the locker room, and was replaced by first-year Bill Shareece Wright.
Gaines’ knee injury is still being evaluated, first-year Bills head coach Sean McDermott told the media Monday. We won’t know more until Wednesday.
In other news, rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman is out of the NFL’s concussion protocol and should be cleared to return to practice.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was spectacular in the first half, leading the Bills on three sustained touchdown drives, came through the game feeling physically “fine,” according to McDermott. Taylor finished completing 17-of-29 passes for 224 yards with one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. He once again did not throw an interception, his ninth time in 13 games throwing zero interceptions this season.
Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who caught both of his targets for 20 yards, did not hurt his knee any further during the win, according to McDermott, who expressed hope that Benjamin could build on that performance when the Bills travel to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots (11-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday.