The Bills are in the divisional round for the sixth straight season, defeating the Jaguars to book a trip to Denver. They could have a key reinforcement back for that game.
Ed Oliver will return to practice this week, Sean McDermott said (via the Buffalo News’ Jay Skurski). The veteran defensive tackle has been out since suffering a biceps tear in October. Oliver also underwent knee surgery recently. He is eligible for an IR activation, though the two-injury component could add a potential complication.
[RELATED: Injured Reserve Return Tracker]
Buffalo will also open Curtis Samuel‘s practice window, according to McDermott. Elbow and knee maladies sidelined Samuel in late November, but the 2024 free agency pickup has not been a key part of Buffalo’s passing attack this season. Despite the Bills needing wide receiver help pretty much since the Stefon Diggs trade, Samuel has been an afterthought.
One player who will not factor into the Bills’ receiving equation against the Broncos will be Gabe Davis, whom McDermott said (via Skurski) suffered an ACL tear against the Jaguars. Davis, whom the Jags cut shortly after the draft, rejoined the Bills on a practice squad deal before being signed to the active roster. He is on a one-year, $1.17MM deal — the veteran minimum for Davis’ service time.
Another Bills injury area to monitor: safety. The team will not have Jordan Poyer against the Broncos, with McDermott indicating the veteran defender will be out for the divisional round due to a hamstring injury. The Bills used Jordan Hancock in place of Poyer once he went down in Jacksonville, but Damar Hamlin is in the IR-return window. Hamlin has not played since early October because of a pectoral injury.
The Bills’ run defense has suffered greatly this season, ranking 28th. Oliver’s absence has obviously hurt here. The veteran defensive tackle missed time due to an ankle injury sustained in Week 1 but did not land on IR as a result. In his second game back from that issue, Oliver sustained the biceps tear. A postseason return was rumored, however. Though, that report came before a confirmed knee surgery. Oliver, 28, is attempting to finish off a three-injury season by helping in some capacity.
Oliver suffered a setback in late December, and a New Year’s Day report revealed he underwent a meniscus cleanup surgery. Oliver returning for the Broncos matchup or a possible AFC championship game date would presumably involve a reduced role, but any return would help a Buffalo defense that has withstood a number of maladies. The team played its wild-card game without recently extended linebacker Terrel Bernard and first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston.
Prior to his injuries, Samuel caught just seven passes for 81 yards over six games. The Bills gave the ex-Panthers and Commanders wideout a three-year, $24MM deal in 2024. The contract reunited Samuel with ex-Carolina OC Joe Brady, but Samuel has been among Buffalo’s misses at receiver over the past two years. After a failed attempt to acquire Jaylen Waddle at the deadline, the Bills added Brandin Cooks and Mecole Hardman. Davis had rejoined the team, after disappointing on a $13MM-per-year deal in Jacksonville, just before the season.
Poyer came back after training camp following a year with the Dolphins. The Bills have turned to their former starter as a first-stringer once again, deploying him alongside Cole Bishop after Taylor Rapp‘s season-ending injury. Poyer, 34, is likely to retire at season’s end. While it will be interesting to see who the Bills start in Round 2, they will need to win in order for Poyer to continue his career.
Yessss!!!! There’s hope!!! We need Big Ed desperately.
Hopes and prayers he makes it back this weekend. I felt really unsettled by the jags game and our chances going forward. Josh is obviously injured. Not hurt, injured. His performance yesterday was spectacular under those circumstances. Half an hour ago I was very confident we’d be going down this weekend, but if Ed is good to go and he can make an impact… I don’t know, why can’t they win it all? Go Bills!!
Unsettled? The Jags were the most complete team in the AFC this year and the Bills beat them at home. Not that the Broncos are pushovers, but Buffalo matches up pretty well with them, and moreso with Ed Oliver back. Samuel can stay on IR so they haveroom for more useful players.
The Broncos defense is considerably better than Jax, even though they were also good. Josh is struggling to avoid the pass rush because he just can’t move like normal. He was chased down from behind yesterday by a defensive lineman on a scramble. He’s not ok and Denver is even more ferocious than Houston, who sacked Josh about 8 times.
I swear four different times this year I’ve forgotten Curtis Samuel was on the Bills. I think Joe Brady probably has too.
Please Beane, don’t waste a roster spot on Samuel.
Any role for Oliver will help. Surprised the Jags didnt run Tuten more, who was gashing them?
Will Hairston be available?
If they can win this game, I’ll be a believer. This Broncos defense is no joke and I’m worried for josh. Their pass rush is even deadlier than the Texans.
The Texans defense is defintely more complete (and dangerous).
Have you seen the Broncos play this year? They average like 4 sacks a game, were statistically the best defense in the league. Houston is amazing, I’m just saying I think Denver is as well. That’s all.
Broncos do want revenge for the game in Buffalo last year.
It was pretty cool seeing Frank Gore Jr. getting a chance to play.
Get me Elijah Moore again.
Ive no interest in Samuel.
You and Elijah Moore. I don’t get it. He had a legit shot here and it didn’t work out. The fact that they haven’t brought him back in for a look after the injuries says everything I need to know. It doesn’t seem like they have second thoughts about it. I’ll trust Josh on this one. If he thought bringing in Moore again was a good idea then I assume they would have. This is our group, we gotta roll with them. Hardman is next man up.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all that Samuel was activated for practice purposes only. They need the bodies just to practice! No way he’s on the active roster this weekend. I don’t think anyway… fingers crossed.
Oh Im not advocating for him bc I think he is an all-pro.
more like the tallest midget.
The best of what we can do right now.
This team is playing Keon Coleman and now who? Hardman with Gabe out? IN THE PLAYOFFS.
And I don’t even love Gabe…
I think you see where Im going here.
Of course, it’s slim pickings. I just think there’s obviously a reason they haven’t called him. It’s not like they don’t know him. Who knows, maybe he doesn’t want to come back? Either way… gotta ride with who we got. OBJ is out there! I’d say give Amari a call, but I bet the raiders still own his rights.
Bad news about Shavers … bummer