As the Buffalo Bills host the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Bills will be playing with a nearly healthy roster of players. Both Jerry Hughes (groin) and Jordan Phillips (toe) were full participants in practice on Friday, and they’re expected to play this weekend. Hughes had not practiced on Wednesday or Thursday as the Bills sought to avoid aggravating his groin injury, while Phillips had injured his toe earlier in the week but recovered before long.
Two Bills are declared out: offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe (ankle) and defensive back Siran Neal (concussion). Cody Ford will stand in for Nsekhe, and the Bills will need to shuffle their kickoff unit around Neal’s absence. Last week, Jakeem Grant toyed with the retooled special teams, but the Broncos don’t feature as dangerous of a kick returner in Diontae Spencer.
The Broncos are hoping that their beaten-up offensive line takes a step toward full strength. Four starters are questionable to play: Rookie Dalton Risner, Connor McGovern, Ronald Leary, and Ju’Wuan James. Risner and McGovern didn’t practice until Friday, and James has only appeared in two games this season.
The Broncos declared backup linebacker Justin Hollins out, and along with the three linemen above, the following players were also listed as questionable: guard Ronald Leary, linebacker Joe Jones, wideout Tim Patrick, and tight end Jeff Heuermann.