Week 17 Injury Report: Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons

We all need to take a moment and appreciate the 2021 season. While frustrating at times, it appears the Buffalo Bills were simply circling the wagons for the playoff push. Much like how Angela Bassett got hers in ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’, it appears the Patriots game gave Josh Allen his.

Outside of the Bills taking the AFC East by the horns, the other big news were the changes to the COVID Protocol. Players can now return as quickly as five days after a positive test.

Adam Schefter on Twitter: “NFL and NFLPA now have adopted the new CDC guidelines that reduce the quarantine time to 5 days from 10 days for all Covid positive players who are asymptomatic, including those who are unvaccinated, per sources. / Twitter”

NFL and NFLPA now have adopted the new CDC guidelines that reduce the quarantine time to 5 days from 10 days for all Covid positive players who are asymptomatic, including those who are unvaccinated, per sources.

For the Bills, it came at a perfect time. We now have no players on the list. Also, Star Lotulelei has returned from his personal absence.

Dan Fetes on Twitter: “The #Bills have activated OL Cody Ford, Cam Lewis and practice squad TE Quintin Morris off their COVID listBuffalo currently has ZERO players in COVID protocols. That’s incredible. / Twitter”

The #Bills have activated OL Cody Ford, Cam Lewis and practice squad TE Quintin Morris off their COVID listBuffalo currently has ZERO players in COVID protocols. That’s incredible.

The Falcons currently will be missing a plethora of talent. The following players are on the COVID list, but may be able to get activated under the updated protocol.

• DE Marlon Davidson
• LB James Vaughters
• OLB Brandon Copeland
• WR Tajae Sharp
• QB Feleipe Franks
• S Richie Grant.

Additionally, DE Jonathan Bullard, FS Jaylinn Hawkins, TE Hayden Hurst, and OT Jason Spriggs are on COVID list, but likely won’t be eligible to return. CB Fabian Moreau is listed as doubtful for the game. Meanwhile, DE Dante Fowler Missed their Friday practice with an ‘illness’, but did not receive a designation. Lastly, WR Calvin Ridley, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, FS Erik Harris, CB Isaiah Oliver, QB AJ McCarron, and TE Jaeden Graham round out their injured reserve list.

Questionable

WR Emmanuel Sanders

Sanders left the Buccaneers game just before the end of the first half. He appeared to sprain his knee on Josh Allen’s lone INT of the game. Two weeks ago, McDermott described him as week-to-week for a ‘knee’ injury, so we are likely looking at a mild sprain or an aggravation of his cartilage/meniscus. He has a lengthy injury history that can be found here.

Last week, Sanders was able to come back after only missing one game. It seemed very fast for the initial prognosis, and he even played in 82% of the snaps for the Buffalo Bills vs the Patriots. However, the knee is giving him trouble this week as he was DNP on Thursday and Friday. Looks like the team will shut him down this week and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is out until the playoffs. 

Prediction: OUT

DT Ed Oliver

Ed played a season high 67% snap count last week. There was no discussion about his injury postgame, but he was limited the entire week with an ‘ankle’ injury. Tough to speculate on the injury without a definitive mechanism. He is likely dealing with a mild sprain or possibly tendonitis. I am guessing that they are just giving him a little load management in practice, but I still expect Ed to play.

Prediction: ACTIVE

Also Listed

DE Mario Addison

Addison was listed with ‘forearm’ injury and was limited all week. He is likely dealing with a contusion and will be easily active.

S Micah Hyde

Micah was a full participant all week but he has been listed with a ‘forearm’ injury. This is also likely a minor contusion, as he played 100% of the Buffalo Bills’ snaps last week.

S Jordan Poyer

Jordan played 100% of the snaps last week as well, but was listed with a ‘shoulder’ this week. He practiced in full every day except Thursday, when he was limited. There is no major concern, as it is likely a minor AC joint sprain. It may be an aggravation from when he bumped his shoulder in practice two months ago.

RB Devin Singletary

Devin has turned into Buffalo’s RB1 the past three weeks. He has been averaging 81% of the snap counts over that span, but only played in 68% last week. He left briefly for an ‘ankle’ injury, likely a low-grade lower ankle sprain, but was able to return. This week, he was listed with that same ‘ankle’ injury, but was a full participant every practice. This injury will likely keep Devin below 75% of the snap counts, but he will still be leading the charge Sunday.

Thigh Doctor on Twitter: “🚨 Singletary right low ankle sprain, no bit deal 👌🏼 #BillsMafia @BfloFanatics pic.twitter.com/ELlbp0TOn1 / Twitter”

🚨 Singletary right low ankle sprain, no bit deal 👌🏼 #BillsMafia @BfloFanatics pic.twitter.com/ELlbp0TOn1