The Buffalo Bills have not enjoyed good injury luck as their Super Bowl push begins. They will once again be shorthanded on Saturday when they take on the Denver Broncos with a chance to advance to the AFC Conference Championship Game on the line.
WR Curtis Samuel officially is active.
The Bills inactives include running back Ty Johnson (ankle), linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf), safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring), cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle), defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, offensive lineman Tylan Grable, and tight end Keleki Latu.
This will be the second consecutive week the Bills will be without Johnson. Johnson has embraced a role as the pass-catching back in Buffalo. Last week, in his absence, Bills RBs combined for just 11 receiving yards.
Bernard is a big hit for the Bills as well; however, the linebacker has not played in three consecutive weeks. Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson played 100% of all defensive snaps in last week’s playoff win.
Hairston and Poyer’s absences will make matters worse for a severely hobbled Buffalo secondary. It will be up to Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White, Taron Johnson, Jordan Hancock, and Cole Bishop to shut down the Broncos’ passing attack.
Ed Oliver and Curtis Samuel Officially Active
Yesterday it was announced that veterans Ed Oliver and Curtis Samuel would be activated from the injured reserve.
One day later, the duo is officially active for today’s playoff clash.
Samuel becomes the fifth healthy receiver on the roster, joining practice squad elevation Mecole Hardman.
Oliver will provide some much-needed depth to the Bills’ defensive line. He has a sack in every single game he has played this season. However, that number is only three, as the seventh-year veteran has not been able to stay healthy.
Bills Inactives Divisional Round Playoffs, 4 Starters Out