NFL
Why isn’t Josh Allen playing in the Bills preseason finale vs. the Carolina Panthers?
All Buffalo team starters will sit out the last NFL preseason game because they are struggling with injury issues on both the defensive and offensive roster
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott had planned to play his starters against the Carolina Panthers, but a rash of injuries have changed his mind. Many of his starting lineup players are on week-to-week injury protocols, so he was forced to sit out all his starters, including his QB1 (Josh Allen), just to avoid unnecessary risk.
McDermott, formerly the Panthers’ defensive coordinator, informed reporters earlier this week that the initial plan was to field his starters against Carolina. However, he has decided to rest the superstar quarterback due to a series of injuries.
”Initially, the plan was to play the ones this week, but because of the injuries and the lack of availability, we’re going to take the ones out, play the other guys, take a good look at them, it should be a good opportunity for them to put their best foot forward and for us to have a strong evaluation of that part of the roster.”
Buffalo has had a challenging summer marked by many injuries and lackluster performances from players who were anticipated to excel following an extensive offseason roster revamp. This has prompted speculation about whether the perennial AFC contenders still pose a legitimate threat to clinch the Super Bowl.
Buffalo Bills injured players
The Buffalo Bills currently have eight safeties on the roster as they try to fill the positions left by the long-standing starting duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Unfortunately, four of the safeties are currently injured, raising concerns about the depth at this position. This comes at a time when the Bills’ safety position had been one of the best in the NFL for the past seven years.
But the problem is not just with the safeties, there is a long list of players with injury struggles:
- Mike Edwards (hamstring)
- Cole Bishop (shoulder)
- Damar Hamlin (hamstring)
- Terrell Burgess (hamstring)
The Bills are also facing a major defensive dilemma with the absence of linebacker Matt Milano, who is sidelined until at least December due to a biceps injury.
As a result, a strategy to effectively defend the middle of the field is urgently needed. Furthermore, Edwards and Bishop’s return to individual drills at practice marks a positive development.
In addition, they still face important challenges, particularly due to their lack of recent practice in the Buffalo defensive system.