Week 8 inactives: Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots missing plenty

The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are both dealing with mounting injuries this week. Each team has ruled out key starters for their first clash of the 2020 NFL season. With head coach Sean McDermott looking to notch his first victory over New England and future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick, Buffalo will need the “next man up” to step in and perform this afternoon.

Here are today’s inactives.

QB Jake Fromm

With Josh Allen and Matt Barkley fully healthy, Fromm remains a healthy scratch.

RB T.J. Yeldon

With rookie Zack Moss back from injury (and coming off his best professional game, as he totaled 72 yards on ten touches), Yeldon is back to healthy scratch status as the obvious third wheel in the Bills’ running back rotation.

G Cody Ford

McDermott ruled his starting left guard out on Friday, as Ford is still dealing with the after effects of a knee injury suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ike Boettger started in his place last week, but with Jon Feliciano back, it remains to be seen how the Bills will distribute snaps.

DE A.J. Epenesa

The rookie is a healthy scratch for the second time in his career. Trent Murphy, Mario Addison, Darryl Johnson, and Jerry Hughes, who was limited this week with a foot injury, are Buffalo’s active defensive tackles.

DT Vernon Butler

The big veteran is missing his second game of the 2020 season, this one due to a groin injury. Harrison Phillips, who has been inactive the last two weeks thanks to ineffectiveness, is active this week. He’ll look to reclaim a spot in the defensive line rotation.

CB Josh Norman

The veteran is suffering from a hamstring injury that has come and gone throughout the 2020 campaign. Dane Jackson played well in his place last week, notching his first interception in his first game. Levi Wallace was also activated off of injured reserve, so the Bills are arguably in as good a place as they’ve been in the defensive secondary all year.

S Micah Hyde

While laying a big hit on New York Jets wideout Breshad Perriman, Hyde both drew a 15-yard penalty and concussed himself. Veteran Dean Marlowe and third-year man Jaquan Johnson should fill in next to Jordan Poyer this week.

Here are the Patriots’ inactive players: