Buffalo faces a short week with key defensive pieces sidelined and Ty Johnson uncertain, while defensive leader Terrel Bernard prepares to return for the primetime showdown.
The Buffalo Bills have officially listed three players as questionable for the team's home opener on Thursday night against the Detroit Lions.
After Wednesday's practice, the team announced that running back Ty Johnson (hamstring), defensive lineman T.J. Sanders (knee/illness), and safety Cole Bishop (knee/groin) all carry the designation entering the weekend.
Johnson and Sanders have continued to be questionable since last week. For Bishop, however, his appearance on the injury report came after being evaluated on the sideline against Houston.
The three were all limited in practice Wednesday.
One player who had been limited but doesn't carry an official injury designation is linebacker Terrel Bernard. The Bills' defensive leader had been dealing with a calf injury suffered against the Texans. With him not being listed on the report, it appears that it's healed enough to be good to go.
Also not receiving a designation is Bradley Chubb, who appeared with a thumb this week.
For the Lions, they will be without two starting offensive lineman in Christian Mahogany (hip) and Blake Miller (knee). Cornerback D.J. Reed is questionable with a foot injury.
The Bills are expected to make two more practice squad callups this week, though it's unclear if it will be RB Frank Gore Jr. and WR Greg Dortch for the second week in a row. Players can only be elevated three times before Buffalo has to make a roster decision. Should they both be elevated, it would leave them with one callup for the remaining 15 games.
The Bills kick off against the Detroit Lions on Thursday at 8:15pm ET. It's the first time since 2024 that the two teams have played, with the Bills winning 48-42.
Buffalo heads into the matchup winners of its last five and seven of the last eight against the Lions. They've also not lost at home to Detroit since 1991, going 4-0 in that time.
Bills Roundtable will have full coverage before, during, and after the game.
