The preseason is halfway done and the Buffalo Bills are getting healthier! Reports have decreased with the amount of players being injured during joint practices. Most players are able to practice and those injured are beginning to return. This is evident with the players listed below.
C Mitch Morse (concussion)
The prize of the Bills’ offseason continues to recover from a concussion sustained three weeks ago. Thankfully, he was able to return to practice with a red jersey this past week. This indicates that he is in stage 4 of the concussion protocol and gearing up towards clearance. The team is extremely judicious in not rushing Morse back, as they should be. He may not see any preseason action, but the idea of him being available to practice in full are appealing.
Another step in the right direction for Mitch Morse, who was actually working with all 3 #Bills QBs during practice this morning.
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) August 14, 2019
He remains in the concussion protocol and wearing red, non-contact jersey, but each day seems to bring another positive sign his return is close pic.twitter.com/C2AEELBxeF
OL Garrett McGhin (ankle)
Early in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers, McGhin went down with an ankle injury that required the cart to get him off the field. This was the play where RB Christian Wade nearly scored on the 48-yard reception. Unfortunately, the camera panned away before the mechanism of injury could be viewed for McGhin. Considering they classified this as an ankle, my suspicion is that of a high ankle sprain. This occurs with the foot planted in external rotation and the knee forced down if he got knocked over. A fibula fracture may have occurred as the result of a large body falling directly on his leg. Both may have been possible as flying Panthers DE Efe Obada was right behind McGhin as the camera panned away.
If this were a MCL sprain or low ankle injury, he may have been able to walk off. If he was unable to place any weight though his leg, then the high ankle or fracture could be present. Neither option is ideal as both would have him miss extended time with a likely trip to the IR. Depending on his situation, he could stay on IR for the season or sign an injury settlement to try and find a new home elsewhere for 2019. There is hope that the injury is less serious than the cart implies compared to the above mentioned possibilities.
CB Cam Lewis (concussion)
Rookie UDFA Cam Lewis suffered what is now diagnosed as a concussion. This was the result of a tackle late in the second quarter where he collided with the back shoulder pad of Panthers RB Reggie Bonnafon. Video shows that Lewis hit him with the crown of his helmet on the right side before the head snapping to the left. Lewis appeared shaken up, unsteady on his feet, but able to walk off under his own power. Later, WGR’s Sal Capaccio tweeted that Lewis was being taken off the field on a cart in a neck immobilizer.
Here’s a look at the injury to #Bills CB Cam Lewis. pic.twitter.com/634VlRYUFt
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) August 17, 2019
Bills CB Cam Lewis being taken off the field on a stretcher via a cart. Neck immobilized.
— Sal Capaccio (@SalSports) August 17, 2019
This sudden change in status becomes worrisome. Lewis may have a concussion, but other issues may have arisen as the result of the hit. Players are not taken off the field in a neck immobilizer unless something serious occurs. Canadian C-Spine rules rule out certain criteria for radiography for a suspected cervical injury. These criteria are also similar in the need for immobilization. So if he matched any of these criteria, then he would have gone on for imaging. He certainly suffered a known dangerous mechanism of injury with how he was hit.
The remaining criteria are speculative, but several symptoms would have warranted further evaluation:
- Parasthesia, which is weakness in an extremity—most likely an arm
- Midline cervical tenderness
- Decreased ability to move neck 45 deg in rotation left/right
- Changes in neurological findings.
The neurological changes could also exist if a concussion was present. There are other symptoms on the checklist, but these are the big ones. If he had any of those symptoms, radiography would have been indicated. Besides a concussion, Lewis may have suffered a stinger which is the parasthesia or weakness down an extremity listed above. To read up on stingers or burners, check out this article. It may be old but it details with pictures exactly what Lewis may be enduring.
Stingers with associated neck injuries are what ultimately ended former Bills S Aaron Williams and C Eric Wood’s careers. That previous sentence does not imply that Lewis is dealing with this or can’t come back, but further examination was necessary. He could return later this year if he is able to take part in football activities symptom free. Regrettably, he could be at a higher risk to suffer a future stinger later on.
Reminder, this is all speculation based off the neck immobilization. He may have a concussion and nothing else. This could all be overblown and I’m dead wrong, I really hope I am, but teams are not taking players off on stretchers in neck immobilizers unless there is reason.
OL Conor McDermott (concussion)
McDermott is still working through a concussion sustained in the Indianapolis Colts game. His concussion appears to be mild as he was able to practice in a red jersey days after the game. Like Morse, this indicates that he may be close to returning. Last season, McDermott was too good to put on the practice squad but not good enough to play on a consistent basis. After overhauling the offensive line during the offseason, McDermott may be looking outside in if he can’t get back on the field soon.
TE Jason Croom & Dawson Knox (hamstring)
Both tight ends continue to work back from hamstring strains suffered early in camp. Croom appears to be nearly ready to return while Knox is still a ways off. Croom was able to take part in 1-on-1 drills without difficulty this past week. Knox was on the field warming up Friday, performing running and catching drills with a compression sleeve around his right thigh. Croom should be ready to come back this week against the Detroit Lions while Knox may be finally healthy when the Minnesota Vikings come to town in Week 4 of the preseason. Both injuries are not past normal healing times, but it is troublesome that they come at such a critical junction of preseason.
Dawson Knox working pregame as he remains out with a hamstring injury. #Bills pic.twitter.com/JPdivUO5GB
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) August 16, 2019
OL Russell Bodine (oblique strain)
Bodine suffered an oblique strain late in the opener that forced him to sit against Carolina and spend the week in a red jersey. Sitting out was the right call, but with his chances to make the roster slipping away, every rep missed is a shrinking opportunity to make the 53. Oblique strains typically don’t keep players out for long, which should afford Bodine the opportunity to play against the Lions.
CB Taron Johnson (groin)
Johnson sat out last week’s game as a precautionary measure following a mild groin strain. The injury itself is not unusual for his position, but is concerning as he dealt with a torn labrum in his shoulder all last season. The injuries themselves are not related, but worries that his body will not be able to withstand a full NFL season are present. He was able to play Friday, tracking down his assignments and generally moving well. He will be another player who the Bills play sparingly the next few weeks to keep him fresh.
LB Corey Thompson (groin)
Thompson suffered a groin injury late in the Colts opener and missed several practices. He was able to take part with limited ability this week, but held out of Friday’s game as a precaution. I do not expect this to be a chronic issue, but bearing in mind, he is far from a roster lock. He will need a strong performance in the final weeks to warrant a roster spot.
RB Senorise Perry (ankle)
Perry suffered a minor ankle injury during last week’s game and missed Saturday’s practice. Speaking with Cover 1’s Greg Tompsett, he indicated that Perry was full go all week without hesitation. The special-teams ace was able to play Friday, contributing on offense with one carry for three yards with a costly fumble recovered by the Panthers. This ankle does not appear to be holding him back but rather his talent. He may still find a place on the roster, but showing the ability to carry the rock when asked will only bolster his chances.
OL Ty Nsekhe (knee)
The veteran lineman exited Wednesday’s practice for unknown reasons. The initial reports came out that he had a stomach bug that led to some nausea. This was the assumed reason he sat out Friday’s game. Before the game, general manager Brandon Beane went on with local media, indicating that Nsekhe tweaked his knee. He went further and stated that he would be alright next week. Knowing he is older than most of his counterparts, the decision to sit him was in his best interest. Without any context, a knee tweak could be anything, which means I can’t read into things too far. This will be another one to watch.
Ty Nsekhe has a "knee tweak" per #Bills GM Brandon Beane. #BillsMafia
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) August 16, 2019
Despite several injuries, expected starters continue to stay healthy. I expect that Croom and Morse come back to full practice this week with Knox continuing to make progress. McGhin and Lewis’s seasons may be in jeopardy, but it’s too early to tell without further information. The remaining players are working their way back from injuries, but appear to be getting better. There are two weeks left of preseason football before cut-down day. Here’s to hoping key players continue to stay healthy.