Buffalo's Defense Could Be Without a Key Starter in Week 2

When the Buffalo Bills released their injury report on Thursday, a few things jumped off the page.

Six defensive players were listed as either a limited participant or not participating, raising some red flags about what to expect from the group in Sunday’s matchup against the division rival New York Jets.

While there could be some serious red flags raised about the health of Buffalo’s defensive backfield with safety Jordan Hancock, and cornerbacks Taron Johnson, and Tre’Davious White all limited on Thursday, perhaps the bigger concern is along the defensive line.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who had six tackles, four pressures, three tackles for loss, two hurries, a sack, a forced fumble, and a 12.% pass-rush win-rate in Buffalo’s 41-40 Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens, did not practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury.

Arguably more concerning is what Bills beat reporters were tweeting about Oliver as they were at the team’s facility.

“We saw Oliver after practice in a walking boot on his left foot,” WKBW’s Matthew Bove reported on X. “He was also using a scooter to get around. He spoke after practice yesterday, so the injury is very curious because it didn’t appear to happen on practice on Wednesday.”

The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia added a bit more context, stating: “Fwiw, he did play a game of table tennis in the locker room, off of the scooter, before getting back on the scooter to leave the locker room.”

Given that Oliver didn’t have the brace the previous day, and that the injury seemed to have happened at some point after Wednesday’s practice, there’s a chance his status for Week 2 could be in jeopardy.

Losing Oliver would be a big blow to the Bills’ defensive line with Larry Ogunjobi suspended and DeWayne Carter on injured reserve. Buffalo’s defensive tackle depth is think with DaQuan Jones, who logged ne tackle and one tackle for loss in Week 1, T.J. Sanders, and Deone Walker the only other players on the roster at that position.