ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — The bumps and bruises continue to accumulate for the Bills defense, with Ed Oliver not participating on Wednesday because of a toe injury. And quarterback Josh Allen was a limited participant in the walk-through session after hurting his throwing shoulder in Sunday night’s win against the Giants.
Running back Damien Harris (neck/head) and tight end Quinton Morris (ankle) also sat out the first practice of the week. Tight end Dawson Knox (wrist), defensive end Greg Rousseau (foot), and defensive backs Dane Jackson (foot), Kaiir Elam (ankle) and Cam Lewis (shoulder) practiced with injuries, McDermott said, and rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid has cleared the concussion protocol.
Oliver has been one of Buffalo’s top performers this season on the defensive line, where the Bills already have starting nose tackle Daquan Jones on injured reserve. All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano (leg) and top cornerback Tre’Davious White (Achilles tendon) also have been placed on IR, while star pass rusher Von Miller (knee) is gradually working back to form.
Buffalo (4-2) visits New England (1-5) on Sunday. The Bills plan to hold a full practice on Thursday, and Allen is scheduled to speak with the media after Wednesday’s session.
Allen’s shoulder ‘feeling pretty good’
Allen had image testing and a wrap on his right shoulder following the 14-9 win against the Giants. Allen said he got hurt when driven into the ground before leaving the game and being checked by concussions spotters. He returned to lead the Bills in a fourth quarter comeback, throwing two touchdown passes.
“No concern,” Allen said after he was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. “We’ll be ready to go.”
McDermott acknowledged that there is “always a concern” when the star quarterback appears on the injury list. “We’ve been around each other enough that he’ll communicate if things raise to a certain level,” the coach said. “Right now, it’s one day at a time approach here.”
“Pain management,” is the prescription for Allen’s shoulder health, he said, “but it’s feeling pretty good.”
Miller ‘totally happy’ with first steps back
Miller updated the status of his recovery from ACL surgery after an increased workload in his second game since being activated from the physically unable to perform list.
“I’m totally happy,” Miller said. “I always say, process over outcome. I would love to go out there and get three sacks a game, and in the game like I usually do, but it’s process over outcome. I come in each and every day and stay in the moment, I stay where my feet are and just try to get the most out of each and every rep and each and every opportunity that I get. And I feel that’s what I’ve been doing my whole entire career. And I feel like that’s the type of process to get me where I want to be at the end of the season.”
Miller said he will transition to a smaller knee brace after two more games, “then hopefully, by the end of the season, start of the playoffs, I’ll be brace free. So just continue to take steps. I would love to jump back in there and be the player that I was last November, but in reality, it just takes time to build up to that type of position on the football field.”
