Rookies played key roles in the Bills’ home win against the Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills had to scratch and claw their way to a home victory over the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday. But key play down the stretch by quarterback Josh Allen and a massive 61-yard franchise-record field goal by Tyler Bass led the team to a victory to keep their massive AFC East lead.
This was a game where rookies affected play at multiple different moments, and there are new developments to take note of with some of this rookie class coming out of the most recent win.
WR Keon Coleman
The early story line for Keon Coleman in this game was his drop early on in the second quarter as the Bills were getting ready to punch the ball in the end zone. Coleman was running an alert slant in man coverage on cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Coleman was ready to receive the ball with his head turned and looking, but he allowed the ball into his chest and it bounced right off his shoulder pads. Of course, it then went into the hands of an awaiting Ramsey as he fell to the ground at the three-yard line. Had Coleman caught the ball, he at least had a decent chance of scoring on that play. But, alas, he did not and it was a big early negative turning point in the game. The Dolphins went 97 yards on that drive to instead take their own 10-3 lead in the second quarter.
Coleman did have one reception for 21 yards. The key play in the game was on the final drive for the Bills’ offense en route to the long field goal. Buffalo was facing a 3rd & Long. Josh Allen threw a fade ball that was well covered by the corner, but former Bill Jordan Poyer playing help from his safety spot delivered a shot to Coleman’s head that drew a 15-yard penalty — extending the drive. Coleman was injured on the play with a wrist issue. He never returned and now his availability for this week and beyond is in question.
Head coach Sean McDermott didn’t have much of an update on Coleman’s status other than he would not rule out him playing this week, but he also would not commit to the idea that it’s just a one-week injury. The Bills’ receivers have struggled with health all year and Coleman is next in line to be shelved for what could potentially be multiple weeks.
Dolphins called for a personal foul on this helmet to helmet hit. Poyer hits Coleman on a long 3rd down. #MIAvsBUF pic.twitter.com/OYctgeVATy
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) November 3, 2024
S Cole Bishop
Bishop played one snap on defense in this game and plenty of special teams snaps. Bishop had a tackle on special teams once again — an opportunity he has clearly taken in stride and taken advantage of. Another recent development in the safety room is veteran Mike Edwards requesting and being granted his release on Tuesday.
Bishop was being rostered ahead of the well-traveled veteran with plenty of starting experience. That leaves one less option for competition in a safety room currently led by Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin who continue to get 100% of snaps prior to garbage time.
DT DeWayne Carter
Carter is on Injured Reserve (IR) with a wrist injury of his own, which has been an odd injury theme in 2024. Carter has already missed two of the required four games while on the list. He did have surgery so it remains to be seen how long he will remain out.
RB Ray Davis
The brightest spot of the rookie class in Week 9 was Ray Davis, who was an efficient and explosive presence on Sunday. And, yet, he only had ninr total offensive snaps (14%). Davis touched the ball six times on those nine plays — producing 90 yards on those touches. He had one of the plays of the day catching a swing route out of the backfield and taking the ball 63 yards to the house in the second half. Davis also ran four times for 20 yards.
Davis continues to be incredibly efficient and we saw the explosive element in a big moment on Sunday. You’d still like him getting a bigger piece of the pie from a snaps perspective, but they make it a point to get him the football when he is on the field.
RAY DAVIS. 63-yard TD for the lead!
: #MIAvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/N5btgphjZ2— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
IOL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
Van Pran-Granger was active once again, but he didn’t see any action in a close contest while the offensive line continues to stay extraordinarily healthy.
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
Ulofoshio was active in this game for the first time this year and got some special teams run. It’s good to see the young player get an opportunity at the midway point of the season. Ulofoshio did not register a stat in the game.
EDGE Javon Solomon
Solomon only got two snaps in this game due to edge rusher Von Miller’s return. The only reason Solomon truly got on the field on defense was due to an injury to defensive end Dawuane Smoot, who’s now moving to IR with yet another wrist injury.
When Solomon was thrust in, one snap came in a key situation at the end of the game. Solomon was sealed off by a tackle in the run game. He used good effort to try and widen despite the initial seal, but he couldn’t get there in time and the Dolphins scored on the play.
Solomon is likely in line for an uptick in snaps again — especially if Von Miller is not able to be a consistent impact in future weeks. Solomon remains a core special teams player this season.
OL Tylan Grable
The perceived swing tackle for the team has been shelved with a core/groin injury that landed him on IR. He remains there despite being out for six games at this point. There has been no update to his health since he was originally placed on the list.
CB/Returner Daequan Hardy
Hardy is on the practice squad and remains there. Codrington went down with an injury during the open-viewing period in practice last week, but he turned out to be just fine. Hardy, therefore, was not a necessary call-up.
OL Travis Clayton
The International Pathway seventh-round selection is on season ending IR with a shoulder injury he suffered early in training camp.
LB Joe Andreessen
Andreessen was active and was involved on special teams units in Week 9. He didn’t register a stat this past week.
CB/Returner Brandon Codrington
Codrington didn’t have an opportunity to do much in this game, but he had one shot at a punt return and made it worth it with a 29-yard return. The punt didn’t have much hang time, the ball bounced, and he properly judged it off the bounce. Codrington then took off down the sideline to instantly put the Bills into field goal range. He continues to be a net positive for the team in 2024.