Buffalo’s rookies had a quiet week
The Buffalo Bills were able to overcome a mistake-laden game to defeat the Indianapolis Colts by two scores. It was a game where quarterback Josh Allen threw two interceptions — one of which led to a field goal. The Bills’ defense came up clutch with several takeaways of their own against Colts quarterback Joe Flacco.
There were multiple Bills rookies injured and sidelined in Week 11, which has watered down some of their impact for this past week. Let’s dive into those players who were on the field and any available injury updates for those who weren’t able to go.
WR Keon Coleman
Coleman wasn’t placed on Injured Reserve prior to Sunday’s game against the Colts, which is good news to potentially indicate his injury won’t be long term. He did miss the game and has already been ruled out for next Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Head coach Sean McDermott has danced around the question from a definitive timeline standpoint. But it’s safe to say at this point that he’s week-to-week with this injury. His absence will be felt as he was starting to really come alive in recent weeks.
S Cole Bishop
Bishop played five snaps of defense at the end of the game. He continues to operate as depth at safety, yielding significant snaps to Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp. It shouldn’t be lost on anyone that the team drafted him as the safety of the future in the second round. Damar Hamlin is a free agent after this season. As a starting safety with a decent stat line in 2024, that may be enough to drive his price away from the Bills this coming offseason and allow Bishop a clear path to the starting lineup. It’s just hard to see Bishop finding a legit defensive role this season outside of an injury.
DT DeWayne Carter
Third-round pick DeWayne Carter is three games through the required four he must miss before returning to the field. Carter also has a wrist injury that required surgery. We’ll possibly know more next week on Carter’s status once he’s satisfied the four-game required absence.
RB Ray Davis
There wasn’t much to speak of this week after a monster performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10. Davis played just 11 snaps with six yards from scrimmage on three carries. Davis is more so a splash player at this stage since most of his snaps consist of him getting the ball as third in the running back rotation behind James Cook and Ty Johnson.
IOL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
Van Pran-Granger played one snap on offense in a kneel-down situation and remains active on game days weekly.
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
Ulofoshio was inactive this week after having an opportunity to be active a week ago. The Bills decided to go very light on active linebackers (4) in Week 10. Instead, they went heavy on defensive line and defensive back. He’s only been active in one game this season.
EDGE Javon Solomon
Solomon has become a core special teams player this season, but he’s seen diminished snaps continue even with veteran Dawuane Smoot being moved to the IR list. Solomon only received two snaps on defense against the Colts.
OL Tylan Grable
Grable is eligible to return from IR at any time, but there’s an undetermined timeline for that to occur after a core/groin muscle injury and subsequent surgery. We remain on the lookout for any update on his status for return.
CB/Returner Daequan Hardy
Hardy remains on the practice squad with no signs of elevation or rise to the active roster soon come.
OL Travis Clayton
Clayton is on the season-ending IR list with a shoulder injury and won’t play in 2024.
LB Joe Andreessen
The Buffalo native has been active more than he’s been downgraded on game day this season. Andreessen is also a player who is a core special teamer when active. He did not register a stat on the day, however. He got in at the end of the game for five snaps.
CB/Returner Brandon Codrington
Codrington had one of his biggest blunders of the season in Week 10. He returned a kickoff from his end zone (ill-advised) and ended up having the ball fumbled in fairly weak fashion as he crossed the 20-yard line. A massive pileup several yards up the field somehow led to Bills reserve offensive lineman Alec Anderson recovering the football.
Both of Codrington’s mismanaged ball handling by punt or kickoff return have ended up recovered by the Bills. No costly mistakes for Codrington more than halfway through the season, but there’s certainly been close calls. He had a touchdown caught over him in garbage time, which is much less concerning. Barring some catastrophic amount of injuries, Codrington will not play corner in any serious situation for the Bills.