Sean McDermott provides update on Buffalo Bills’ injuries

What a difference a day makes. Coming into the Buffalo Bills’ home game against the New England Patriots, the Bills were banged up, but relatively healthy considering that most NFL teams are “banged up” in December. After the Bills’ 23-3 loss at the hands of the Patriots, the team’s respective health meter has taken a hit.

In his Monday press conference, head coach Sean McDermott provided plenty of updates regarding the injuries suffered by Bills’ players on Sunday. The updates he provided include:

• Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who left the game in the fourth quarter, suffered a patella tendon contusion, and he is considered day-to-day. McDermott reiterated that Taylor is the starting quarterback provided he is healthy, so his status will be worth monitoring as the week progresses. Taylor was injured on a scramble on the game’s first play, and although he played for the majority of the game, he was not at all productive or effective. “Pro Football Doc” David Chao thinks Tyrod could suit up this week depending on his pain tolerance.
• Cornerback Tre’Davious White and running back Travaris Cadet are both in the concussion protocol. McDermott did not specify when it was that Cadet was injured, and there was no need to clarify the time when White suffered his head injury. The possibility exists that the Bills will be without their best cornerback with a pivotal game against the Indianapolis Colts ahead.
• Defensive end Shaq Lawson is week-to-week with an ankle injury. He was hurt in the third quarter when the Patriots failed to score on a one-yard plunge. Presumably, Eddie Yarbrough will start in his place, but veteran Ryan Davis will also play more snaps. The Bills will most likely look to add another defensive end, as well, unless the coaching staff plans to utilize Lorenzo Alexander in the role on passing downs.
• Nickel corner Leonard Johnson “should be fine,” according to McDermott. Johnson was unable to finish the game due to a knee injury. With White set to miss at least a game due to his concussion, Shareece Wright will need to be activated next week, so losing Johnson would be extremely detrimental. It would leave the Bills with only Wright, E.J. Gaines, and Lafayette Pitts as healthy corners on the roster.

In more positive injury news, wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin should return to practice this week. While his game status is still up in the air, it’s encouraging that he is already ready to practice after reportedly tearing his meniscus in Buffalo’s 54-24 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Tight end Nick O’Leary, who was inactive on Sunday due to a back injury, is also expected to practice this week. Backup running back/fullback Mike Tolbert is expected to return, as well, after he missed the last three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Buffalo’s various injuries will be a big story line throughout the week, but it’s quite possible that the active roster will look a bit different on Sunday than it has for the majority of this season.