The Buffalo Bills have been hit with some early injuries on defense, which could be adding pressure to the team’s defensive captain.
The Bills ruled out two key players for Thursday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, defensive tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano. That is leading one insider to issue a warning to linebacker Terrel Bernard, who could carry a bigger task while his teammates are out.
The Bills announced that both Oliver and Milano would be inactive for Thursday’s game, as well as wide receiver Curtis Samuel, defensive backs Jordan Hancock and Ja’Marcus Ingram, offensive lineman Chase Lundt and edge rusher Landon Jackson.
Bills Face ‘Major Threat’ on the Ground
Though the Dolphins have struggled to find consistency on offense, Kam Towle of USA Today’s Bills Wire noted that the team still has some dangerous weapons. That includes running back De’Von Achane, who has not been utilized much this year but still represents a home-run threat.
Towle predicted that Bernard would face even more pressure to contain Achane’s ground attack with two of the top run stuffers on the sidelines.
Running back De’Von Achane hasn’t seen many carries over the first two weeks of the season. He’s had just 18 total attempts this year for 85 yards, but he has caught 11 passes for 112 receiving yards,” Towle wrote. He’s a major threat for the Dolphins whether it comes on the ground or through the air, and Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard will be busy trying to stop him, and he may be without his running mate in Matt Milano due to injury.
The 26-year-old Bernard has seen some of his production dip the season — he has just seven total tackles through the first two games — but has made some big plays as well. That includes a fumble recovery against the Baltimore Ravens that helped spark the team’s 15-point comeback.
Bills Calling in Some Help
The Bills brought a bit of insurance for Thursday’s game, elevating defensive tackle Zion Logue and rookie linebacker Keonta Jenkins from the practice squad in the hours before the game.
As SI.com’s Ralph Ventre noted, Logue has already made an impact in his first call-up. Oliver also missed last week’s win over the New York Jets, with Logue pitching in during the 30-10 win.
The 24-year-old Logue, a 2024 sixth-round draft choice, made two appearances for the Bills last year after being plucked off the Atlanta Falcons‘ practice squad,” Ventre wrote. This past Sunday, he accounted for one-half sack and one pass deflection over 16 defensive snaps against the New York Jets.
The Bills‘ two key defenders, Oliver and Milano, were ruled out ahead of the matchup with the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
The Bills have not said when Oliver or Milano could return, but have opted not to put either of them on injured reserve. That means both will likely be back within the month.
The Bills have a chance to jump out to an early lead in the AFC East, facing a Dolphins team that has stumbled out to an 0-2 start. The Bills have won nine straight games against their AFC East foe, dating back to 2022 and including a playoff win at home.
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