Star DT Hasn't Played Since Week 1

Despite falling to the New England Patriots in Week 5, the 4-1 Buffalo Bills still sit atop the AFC East.

They’re ranked in the top 10 both offensively (No. 3) and defensively (No. 9), and the good news for fans is the team is starting to get healthier.

Though Buffalo got some bad news on Saturday when defensive tackle T.J. Sanders and safety Damar Hamlin were both placed in injured reserve, sidelining them for at least the next four games, it will be getting back one of its most important players along the front seven.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver hasn’t played since the Bills’ 41-40 Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens — a game Oliver played an integral role in.

The 27-year-old Oliver logged six tackles, four run stops, three tackles for loss, three QB pressures, one sack, one forced fumble, one hurry, and one QB hit in that game, and it could be argued the comeback win wouldn’t have happened without the fumble Oliver caused Ravens running back Derrick Henry.

Buffalo had just pulled to within 40-32, and Henry’s fumble with a little over three minutes left in the fourth quarter set up a Buffalo touchdown drive to pull within two points and set the stage for the team’s eventual game-winning field goal less than two minutes later.

But after a four-game absence due to an ankle injury, Oliver is set to make his return for Monday's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

“I feel good,” Oliver told reporters on Friday. “A lot better than last week. I’m more confident I’m ready.”

Some thought the 287-pound defensive tackle was going to be ready for last week’s matchup against the Patriots, but he told reporters that his body just didn’t feel quite ready yet.

“I just wasn’t where I needed to be,” Oliver stated. “I’m still not where I need to be, but I’ve made significant progress since last week. That’s promising, and it gives me the motivation to go back out there and do my thing.”