2023 Week 12 Injury Report: Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Buffalo Bills dismantled the Jets last week, but suffered injuries to three key defensive backs (CBs Taron Johnson and Dane Jackson, S Taylor Rapp). Fortunately, however, the Bills only have two players listed as OUT.

As for the Philadelphia Eagles, they have their fair share of injuries. Starting MLB Nakobe Dean is on the IR. Starting TE Dallas Goedert, and backup S Justin Evans, DT Milton Williams, and TE Grant Calcaterra are OUT. WR Quez Watkins is QUESTIONABLE.

OUT: CB Dane Jackson & S Taylor Rapp

Jackson suffered a concussion in the Jets game and did not return. He did not practice at all this week, which is mildly concerning. Hopefully, with the team on bye next week, he will be available for KC.

Meanwhile, Rapp suffered a scary ‘neck’ injury when he collided with CB Taron Johnson trying to tackle Jets RB Breece Hall. Rapp was spine boarded, but had clean imaging. The team was optimistic he had a chance to return this week. Unfortunately, he was downgraded to DNP on Friday after a limited participation on Thursday. He should be available after the bye week. His injury looked a lot like a stinger.

Also Listed

CB Taron Johnson

Taron was the other player involved in the collision with Rapp last week. That hit knocked him out of the game with a ‘concussion’. He breezed through the concussion protocol, which was astonishing given the fact he was a non-participant at Wednesday’s practice.

S Micah Hyde

Micah left the Bengals game early with a “neck/stinger” injury. This is a significant injury for Hyde because of his recent neck history Although not confirmed, Hyde likely underwent an Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion (ACDF) last year.

A player returning to a contact sport runs a risk returning from these types of injuries. Usually, once they suffer a new stinger or severe neck ailment, it’s game over. Hyde returned last week against the Jets and played in 80% of the snaps. (He likely didn’t play the whole game due to the score.)

As for his injury, he was limited most of this week, but finished as a full participant in Friday’s practice. It appears the Buffalo Bills will manage his practice participation, especially in padded practices, in the lead up to games moving forward.

QB Josh Allen

Josh Allen still appears on the injury report with his ‘right shoulder’ injury. However, he hasn’t been limited in practice for the past two weeks. He’s good.

WR Trent Sherfield

Sherfield likely suffered a sprained ‘ankle’ Week 10 against the Broncos He was active against the Jets and played his full special teams snap share. However, his offensive participation dropped to 13%, after averaging 35% in Weeks 8-9. He was a full participant in practice this week and should be available for his full offensive workload if the team sees fit.

DB Cam Lewis

Cam likely sustained a mild AC joint sprain to his ‘shoulder’ against the Broncos. He has logged some limited participations in practice since. But he played last week against the Jets and will be available again this week. He is a special teams ace and should continue that role, but there were some interesting developments last week. Due to Rapp and Johnson’s injuries and Hyde being pulled early, Lewis played 60% of the defensive snaps. This resulted in decreased usage on special teams. He played 63% of the Buffalo Bills’ special teams snaps, a steep drop from his usual 85%.

LB Dorian Williams

Williams had been listed with a ‘knee’ the past two weeks. He is likely dealing with a minor sprain, which must be on the mend as he was a full participant all week. 

Citations

1. Lynch TS, Saltzman MD, Ghodasra JH, Bilimoria KY, Bowen MK, Nuber GW. Acromioclavicular joint injuries in the National Football League: epidemiology and management. Am J Sports Med. 2013 Dec; 41(12): 2904-8. doi: 10.1177/0363546513504284. Epub 2013 Sep 20. PMID: 24057030.

Featured Image Credit: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun