It’s been a LONG off season. Another painful loss to the Chiefs in the playoffs. Multiple fan favorites gon to fee agency, salary cap cuts, and trades. Multiple holes to fill and many new faces. The team is Not the same but time will tell how good it really is. There are high hopes for this team despite the national media writing us off. Sooo let’s get started with players with significant injuries in the past that hopefully will return to form.
LB Von Miller is one of the big names. He suffered an ACL injury 20 months ago. He had a repair and played last season but was not the player he wanted to be or the player we wanted. He started to look better the last 3 games of the season and I saw some significant improvement in the last playoff game. Now with a whole offseason of training he is starting to look more like the player we want. In training camp he is looking good and has shown a good burst, improved balance and much more confidence. Dion Dawkins our all pro left tackle said “number 40 is back” after miller blew around Spencer brown twice for sacks. I see him as a pass rushing specialist and could get 8-10 sacks in limited playing time. Good to see the confidence back and his big smile at press conferences.
LB Matt Milano suffered a lower leg fracture last year and had significant surgery to repair this. There is little factual information about his injury as both he and the medical staff have not disclosed any specific details. From the mechanism of injury and his long recovery I suspect he had a major tibial plateau fracture and required major surgery including plates and screws. There is no usual timeframe for recovery as there have not been other players with injury returning to professional sports. There frequently is prolonged swelling and pain and occasionally requires removal of the hardware to help with symptoms. He had an aggressive rehabilitation process and was a surprise full go for training camp. He was wearing a compression sleeve on the right leg but showed good lateral movements and changes in direction. At the end of several practices he did show signs of not being fully recovered. There was a slight decrease in push off his right leg at times but all in all he was substantially better than I expected. I suspect that he will get frequent rest days in training camp and preseason as well as possibly having some decreased playing time during the early season.
OL Spencer Brown had off season left shoulder surgery. This was perceived as a minor cleanup procedure and he has been a full go at camp although he was wearing a shoulder brace at some practices. I’m looking forward to another great season from him.
2 others that most of us haven’t really paid much attention to but could make the 53 or at least the practice squad are TE Zach Davidson and WR Justin Shorter. Davidson had an ACL repair in the preseason last year. He is big, fast and has good hands. So far he is looking good with no signs of any knee issues. Shorter was drafted last year and injured in the preseason and was on IR all last year. He is a Big receiver with good speed. So far he looks good but there is Lots of competition to make the 53. It’s more likely he will be on the practice squad.
Now to the more recent injuries.
Safety Mike Edwards suffered an injury in OTAs and had a hamstring injury at the beginning of training camp. This is a major setback for the free agent as he is learning the system. The Bills have since signed two other safeties as not only did Edwards go down and is listed as week to week. Cole Bishop was injured in practice taking a big helmet hit to his back and landing awkwardly on his shoulder. He was having a great start to camp and was playing frequently with the 1’s before he was hurt. He probably has a scapular injury(maybe a bone bruise) and a possible ac joint injury. He is missing critical time but I expect him to be ready for the season. In the absence of these 2 Damar Hamlin has been getting a lot of reps and has been looking good. Another step in his amazing recovery
OL has seen multiple injuries. First Mike Edwards suffered a concussion but cleared protocol after a few days and is back to practice with the ones. La el Collins left practice Friday with a knee injury and is listed as day to day as well as Travis Clayton who suffered a shoulder injury. Clayton is expected to be on the practice squad
LB group took a couple hits this week as Nick Morrow suffered a core muscle/groin injury. He is listed as out for now but I suspect he’ll be listed as week to week with the next report. Eddie Ulofoshio(don’t ask me to say it) got a wrist and rib injury at the blue and red practice. He is expected to be out at least day to day and may be held out of practice and the first preseason game next week.
WR Chase Claypool was having a good game until he came down awkwardly and injured his left foot/toe. He is currently day to day and still has a good chance of making the roster if he can continue to perform in the preseason.
RB Ty Johnson continues to be out with a hamstring injury and is listed as week to week. He is doing rehab and working out individually. I expect he will be ready to go for the regular season as James Cook backup.
Finally TE Dawson Knox left practice Friday with a sore groin muscle and was getting a veteran rest day today as well as rehabilitation. I suspect he will be limited this week and will not play in the first preseason game on Saturday.
WHEW! That’s a lot of reporting. Hopefully you find this helpful and maybe a bit informative. Let me know if you have any specific questions or topics you would like me to discuss. I’m so ready for this season to get started. Thanks for spending a couple minutes with me an as always. Go Bills
Dr. Bruce
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