Week 2 Injury Report: Bills vs. Titans

The Buffalo Bills took down the defending champions last week, but it came at a cost. The Bills will be without Ed Oliver this week as a result of his injury. Several other starters and key contributors remain uncertain. Monday night will be much more difficult than advertised.

As for the Tennessee Titans, they are also dealing with a rash of injuries. The Titans will be without LB Harold Landry, DE Da’Shawn Hand, and CB Elijah Molden as they are currently on injured reserve. Also declared out for this game are starting CB Kristian Fulton, and backup RB Dontrell Hilliard and OT Jamarco Jones. Their WR3 Kyle Philips has been listed as questionable.

OUT

DT Ed Oliver

Ed Oliver exited last week’s game early with an ‘ankle’ sprain.He appeared to sustain the more rare, medial ankle sprain. He was injured late in the first half, returned briefly after half time, but quickly left the game thereafter. The fact that he was able to return should mean the injury is milder in nature. A mild sprain could take 1-2 weeks to recover. Unfortunately, he was unable to practice all week and will miss the game.

Oliver was spotted at practice on Saturday with a jersey and doing active stretches. This bodes well for a return next week.

Here’s a look at Bills DT Ed Oliver and Tim Settle. pic.twitter.com/NRBWvW0o7D

— Josh Reed (@4JoshReed) September 17, 2022

DOUBTFUL

DT Tim Settle

Settle was first reported with a “calf” injury after the Bills-Colts preseason game. This was likely a mild strain, which can take 1-3 weeks to recover. He had nearly four weeksof rest entering the season opener. He was able to play a 42% snap share. Unfortunately, calf injuries can re-aggravate easily. This is likely the case as Settle missed most of practice this week. He was able to partake in practice on Saturday in a limited fashion though. It would be wise for the team to rest Settle one more week as he is clearly struggling with his ailment.

Prediction: OUT

QUESTIONABLE

WR Gabe Davis

#Bills WR Gabe Davis suffered an ankle sprain on a non-contact play in practice yesterday. Team not ruling him out and holding out hope but he's very much in question for the game against the #Titans. https://t.co/PxYC3zP1l0

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 18, 2022

Davis was a surprise to the injury report. Listed with an “ankle” injury on Saturday, he likely sprained his ankle in practice. Last week, Davis had a 98% snap share and no apparent injury all week. No specifics have been reported, but it is important to note that Davis has a history of ankle sprains. He was injured in the Buffalo Bills’ Divisional Round playoff game in 2020. He returned for the AFCCG the next week but was very hobbled. Also, last season, he sprained his ankle in the season opener, which may have limited his offensive production for the first few months of the season. Davis did not see > 80% snap shares last year until Week 13.

While Davis hasn’t missed any time with ankle sprains before, it’s just too short of a window for a turnaround to play.

Prediction: OUT

CB Dane Jackson

Jackson had a 97% snap share for the Buffalo Bills last week and no injuries. However, he missed practice for most of the week, but was able to return on Saturday in a limited fashion. He is being listed with a “knee”. The mystery was debunked by McDermott as he stated he “bumped” his knee in practice. This would have occurred on Wednesday.

Sean McDermott said the injury to Dane Jackson’s knee occurred in practice. Said “he just bumped his leg during a competitive period.”

Jackson will practice today.

— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) September 17, 2022

It sounds as though Jackson will be active. The injury itself may be as simple as a bruise/contusion or a very mild sprain.

Short and sweet from Dane Jackson after practice today.

Came down wrong during Wednesday's practice and tweaked knee.

As for playing Monday night: "Oh for sure. For sure."#Bills pic.twitter.com/vqrUTSH3bX

— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) September 17, 2022

Prediction: Active

Also Listed

OL Tommy Doyle

Doyle sustained a “foot” injury in the Bills-Colts preseason game. The specifics are unclear but, based on the denotation of “foot”, the need for him to wear a boot early on, and the timeline he is on (no IR), he likely suffered a grade 2 midfoot sprain. These can take about five weeks to recover from (1). Currently, he is just shy of five weeks since his injury. Doyle has been practicing in full all week and will be available if activated.

TE Quintin Morris 

Morris has missed practice all week with a “hamstring” injury. This was suffered in practice on August 29^th.

Quintin Morris pulls up lame during practice today.

Training staff eventually starts stretching out his right leg.

Dawson Knox and head coach Sean McDermott both come up to Morris as he's clearly in pain.#Bills pic.twitter.com/brWjAM8qoZ

— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) August 29, 2022

He will be about three weeks from the time of injury once the Bills-Titans MNF game rolls along. Likely a minor strain, he was able to practice all week in full. He will be available to play if activated.

Citations

1. Osbahr DC, O’Loughlin PF, Drakos MC, Barnes RP, Kennedy JG, Warren RF. Midfoot sprains in the National Football League. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2014 Dec; 43(12): 557-61. PMID: 25490010.

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