The biggest casualty from Friday night’s practice at New Era Field was 2016 first-round draft pick Shaq Lawson, but the Buffalo Bills are going to be short two defensive ends in the short term.
Lawson told the media after practice the injury was “nothing serious”. The defensive end was shut down as a precaution after suffering the injury. The Bills are hoping this injury won’t hold Lawson out of practice for too long, especially after having shoulder surgery last season before even stepping foot in an NFL game. If the groin forces Lawson to miss any time, it will be an opportunity for DE Eddie Yarbrough, who has already impressed in camp so far.
Another defensive end, Ryan Davis, also was taken off the field during practice with a concussion. Davis is one of the only reserve edge rushers that has NFL experience, so hopefully he can get back into practice sooner than later. But this could also be an opportunity for younger undrafted players like Yarbrough, or Arena League star Jake Metz, to prove themselves as worthy backups to Shaq or Jerry Hughes.
The final injury reported was undrafted rookie tight end out of Louisville, Keith Towbridge. Towbridge had an ankle injury and will be undergoing X-rays soon. With players like Charles Clay and Nick O’Leary ahead of him, it was an uphill climb to crack the final 53. Missing significant time could make it impossible.
The Bills hit the field again on Sunday at 2:15 back in Rochester.