Bills vs. Dolphins: First look at Week 9 injury reports

With so many names on both lists, it’ll be a busy week for athletic trainers

The Buffalo Bills will try to make it four in a row on Sunday when they host the Miami Dolphins. A fourth straight win would be the longest streak of the season plus it would mean a sweep of the Dolphins, who despite being 2-5, are currently second in the AFC East.

The Bills get veteran edge rusher Von Miller back who just completed his four-game suspension. But it looks like, once again, Buffalo’s training staff will have a busy week trying to manage injuries — but maybe not as busy as Miami’s training staff.

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New Buffalo Bills names on Week 9 Injury List

• WR Amari Cooper (wrist)
• CB Christian Benford (wrist)
• OL Spencer Brown (wrist)
• KR Brandon Codrington (hip)
• FB Reggis Gilliam (hip)
• S Taylor Rapp (foot)
• TE Dalton Kincaid (collarbone/knee)

The good news about the above list is that only two of these players — Amari Cooper and Reggie Gilliam — were limited in Wednesday’s practice.

In his second game as a Buffalo Bill, Cooper was almost invisible. He had just one catch for a short three yards on Sunday and was the intended target of quarterback Josh Allen’s first interception of the season. However, Cooper slipped on a rain-soaked field and wasn’t able to complete his route. Whether that’s where he injured his wrist or if it came later, no one at One Bills Drive has clarified (not that head coach Sean McDermott is ever forthcoming with what he deems “personal” information).

In fact, McDermott himself may not know the specifics this time. On Wednesday morning, he told reporters that Cooper would not be practicing. However, in the portion of practice open to the media, Cooper was seen with a blue jersey on and participating in drills with the team. The veteran wide receiver had his left wrist taped but was most definitely practicing.

This is the third straight week Kincaid is listed as getting treatment for a collarbone injury he suffered in Buffalo’s Week 6 win over the New York Jets. He’s in this group this week, however, due to another injury. The second-year tight end is now dealing with a knee injury as well — although neither the collarbone nor the knee were enough to limit his work on Wednesday.

Buffalo Bills players now off injury list in Week 9

• QB Mitch Trubisky (previous designation: knee)

For the first time since the season began, there is no mention of the knee injury that backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky suffered during preseason.

Buffalo Bills players who are status quo on Week 9 injury list

• QB Josh Allen (left hand)
• LB Terrel Bernard (pectoral/ankle)
• S Damar Hamlin (ankle)
• WR Mack Hollins
• CB Taron Johnson (forearm)
• DT DaQuan Jones (foot)
• TE Dawson Knox (ankle)
• TE Quintin Morris (shoulder)
• WR Curtis Samuel (pectoral)
• DE Dawaune Smoot (groin)
• LB Dorian Williams (knee)

The last time the Bills played the Dolphins, back in Week 2, they did so without linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Taron Johnson. Despite missing two key players in the middle of their defense and the Dolphins gaining 364 yards of offense, Buffalo held Miami to just 10 points. This time at least Johnson will play.

Bernard and Samuel were both listed as limited on Wednesday, but with both missing all of last week’s practice, that’s not worrisome.

In reality, despite there being 19 names on Buffalo’s list (OT Alec Anderson was absent for a personal reason), only three were limited with the rest being full participants. It could be a week of more healthy scratches come time to list the game day inactives on Sunday.

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Miami Dolphins injuries to monitor for Week 9

• DB Storm Duck — didn’t play last week in Miami’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 7
• TE Julian Hill — injured his shoulder during the Week 8 game
• S Javon Holland — injured his knee in the first half of last week’s game, was ruled questionable to return, attempted to ride a stationary bike on the sideline, and then was downgraded to out
• CB Kader Kohou — injured his neck in Week 7’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, didn’t play week 8
• DT Zach Sieler — broke an orbital bone in practice on Oct 24, hasn’t practiced/played since

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Miami Dolphins injuries holding steady in Week 9

• ILB Jordyn Brooks (hamstring/wrist)
• WR River Cracraft (shoulder)
• DT Benito Jones (knee)
• LB Tyus Bowser (knee)
• G Robert Jones (knee)
• TE Jonnu Smith (finger)

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While the Bills have more names on their list, the Dolphins had too many players not practicing (due to injury). Take out the Rest/Personal Days and Buffalo has everyone practicing, while Miami is still missing six players. Both teams had three players limited on Wednesday.

Thursday’s practice, and subsequent injury reports, will give us a better idea of those injuries we should dive deeper into to see how they might affect Sunday’s rosters.