2023 Week 11 Injury Report: Buffalo Bills vs. NY Jets

The Buffalo Bills are 5-5 after falling apart against the Broncos last week. Fortunately, the team is healthier this week, as only two reserve players, DT Jordan Phillips and WR Trent Sherfield, are questionable.

As for the NY Jets, they have more significant injuries. Their IR list includes QB Aaron Rodgers, DB Chuck Clark, OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG Connor McGovern, OG Wes Schweitzer, and DT Al Woods. OTs Duane Brown and Billy Turner are out for Sunday. Meanwhile, DE Will McDonald IV and WR Garrett Wilson are listed as questionable. Though, according to reports, Garrett Wilson will play.

Questionable: DT Jordan Phillips & WR Trent Sherfield

Phillips was listed with a ‘knee’ and Sherfield an ‘ankle’. Both progressed from DNP to limited to full participants in practice this week. Phillips is likely dealing with a contusion or a minor sprain, whereas Sherfield likely suffered a sprain himself. Phillips re-entered the game last week, but Sherfield did not.

The Buffalo Bills have the luxury of being able to rest Phillips by swapping in of Poona Ford. However, Sherfield has been playing about 35% of the offensive snaps and 45% on special teams in Weeks 8-9. I think Sherfield is a lock to play but primarily on special teams. Phillips looks to be running gingerly, but likely good enough to suit up this weekend as well. Will be interesting to see if they choose to roll with Poona as the Jets are likely going to live and die by the run Sunday.

Also Listed

S Micah Hyde

Micah suffered a “neck/stinger” injury late in the Bengals game and did not return. He did not practice or play last week. A player returning to a contact sport runs a risk returning from the type of neck injury Hyde suffered last year. Usually, once they suffer a new stinger or severe neck ailment, it’s game over. However, Hyde appears to be pushing the envelope as he practiced and will play this week. It will be interesting to see if he sustains another stinger in the near future, which would likely shut him down for good.

CB Christian Benford

Benford missed last week with a ‘hamstring’ injury. He initially popped up on the injury report the Friday before the Bengals game but played. He strained his hamstring again during that game and did not return.

Hamstring injuries usually require about two weeks to recover (1), which falls in line with Benford’s two week absence heading into the Jets game.

QB Josh Allen

While he didn’t appear on the Buffalo Bills’ injury report this week until Friday, Josh Allen is still dealing with the right shoulder injury he suffered against the Giants in Week 6. However, he was still a full participant in practice, so he’s good to go.

DB Cam Lewis

Cam likely sustained a mild AC joint sprain to his ‘shoulder’ last week. He had some limited practice this week but will play. He is a special teams ace and should continue that role.

LB Dorian Williams

Williams was listed with a ‘knee’ injury this week. Likely dealing with a minor sprain, he will also be available. He might not be in peak shape, which may thwart any attempt to get increased playing time over Dodson.

Citations

1. Beaulieu-Jones BR, Rossy WH, Sanchez G, Whalen JM, Lavery KP, McHale KJ, Vopat BG, Van Allen JJ, Akamefula RA, Provencher MT. Epidemiology of Injuries Identified at the NFL Scouting Combine and Their Impact on Performance in the National Football League: Evaluation of 2203 Athletes From 2009 to 2015. Orthop J Sports Med. 2017 Jul 24; 5(7): 2325967117708744. doi: 10.1177/2325967117708744. PMID: 28812033; PMCID: PMC5529031.

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