The Buffalo Bills will be playing against the Seattle Seahawks without Mitch Morse (concussion)—he returned to practice on Friday, but hasn’t cleared the concussion protocol yet. But could Cody Ford (knee) return to reinforce the offensive line? In Buffalo’s final injury report of the week, Ford was listed as Questionable, after practicing fully on Friday. Whether Ford returns this week or next, the Bills are close to playing their preferred starting five for the first time all season.
In addition to Morse’s absence, four other players are ruled out this week: Matt Milano (pectoral), Josh Norman (hamstring), T.J. Yeldon (back), and Taiwan Jones (hamstring). Milano didn’t practice at all this week, and it’s time to wonder if the Bills plan to rest him through their bye week, with the next two games being (relatively) unimportant matchups against NFC opponents.
Three other players are questionable along with Ford. Darryl Johnson (knee) practiced fully on Friday after missing the first two days of practice. Dawson Knox (calf) returned from the COVID-19 reserve list, but is still limited in practice. Vernon Butler (groin) practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, and is the most likely to return to action.
None of the other players on the injury report merited a special game status, and that includes three key players dealing with knee injuries: John Brown, Brian Winters, and Quinton Jefferson. All three were full participants on Friday, and will play on Sunday.
The Seahawks ruled out six players on their final injury report, including their top two running backs. DeeJay Dallas and Alex Collins will lead their rushing attack this weekend. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin is also out, hurting one of the league’s worst passing defenses, but do-everything safety Jamal Adams is back in action.