Week 3 Injury Report: Bills vs. Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills are 2-0 and devouring their competition. Unfortunately, the higher they fly, the harder they fall. The Bills enter this week with their fair share of injuries; several starters will be out of action and many more are questionable.

As for the Miami Dolphins, they are in better health, but still have many key players either out or questionable. The following Dolphins are on injured reserve: TE Adam Shaheen, CB Byron Jones, and OT Austin Jackson. Meanwhile, reserve TEs Hunter Long and Cethan Carter have been ruled out. Listed as “Questionable” are starting OT Terron Armstead, DT Raekwon Davis, CB Xavien Howard, and WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. The most notable name here is OT Terron Armstead, as he did not practice all week. Raekwon Davis and Xavien Howard will likely play, but are hampered with knee and groin injuries respectively.

OUT

DT Ed Oliver

Ed Oliver exited the season opener 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 1-3 weeks to recover. He was able to practice in limited fashion all week, but did not make enough progress and will miss the Bills-Dolphins game. Look for him to return next week, unless he had a setback in practice.

S Micah Hyde

Hyde is the most alarming and concerning injury on the Buffalo Bills’ report. He exited the Bills-Titans game with a “neck” injury. He was later reported to have gone to the hospital for evaluation and is seeking a second opinion at this time. This is not a good sign and should cause concern for a significant injury that may impact his season, if not career.

Hyde has now suffered three neck injuries since 2019. None have caused him to miss time, but the cumulative effects may have left him vulnerable. The injury occurred on a routine tackle and looked very benign. This is completely speculative but, considering he was just placed on the season-ending IR, if he were to have a disc herniation, he would likely require surgery.

CB Dane Jackson

Speaking of “neck” injuries, Jackson needed to be spine boarded during the Bills-Titans game. He took a nasty shot that bent his head backwards via friendly fire right before half time. Luckily, he suffered no structural damage but was unable to practice all week. Once he has full motion and strength, and is absent of any neurological symptoms, he will be cleared to play. Miraculously, this can happen as soon as next week. 

Scary injury for Bills CB Dane Jackson. pic.twitter.com/RRjmGhwr4I

— Pinhead Sports®  (@_PinheadSports) September 20, 2022

DT Jordan Phillips

Phillips has been off to a strong start in his reunion tour with the Bills. However, he had a polarizing “hamstring” strain during the Milano pick-6 Monday night. He was unable to practice all week. However, it likely isn’t too severe, or he would have been sent to the IR. He may still miss next week, but look for his return in Week 5 if he doesn’t.

Hope Jordan Phillips is okay…dude bit it #Bills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/q3mhPi0LH3

— Andrew (@Drewrob5) September 20, 2022

Questionable

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 recover in 1-3 weeks. He had nearly four weeks 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 last week. He was able to partake in practice on a limited basis all week leading up to the Bills-Dolphins matchup. It might still be a close call, but I think Buffalo rolls the dice and activates him this week.

Prediction: ACTIVE

WR Gabe Davis

Davis sprained his ankle in practice last week and subsequently missed the Bills-Titans game. In Week 1, Davis had a 98% snap share. It is important to note that Davis has a history of ankle sprains. He was injured in the Divisional Round playoff game in 2020, with an apparent high ankle sprain. He returned for the AFCCG the next week but was very hobbled. Also, last season, Davis sprained his ankle in the season opener, same side as current injury (right), which may have limited his offensive production for the first few months of the season.

He did not see >80% snap shares last year until Week 13. Davis is confident he will play Sunday, as am I, but he still appears to be hobbled. He only practiced in a limited fashion all week. Beware of an aggravation of his injury.

Video of Gabe Davis from practice today:

(Again I'm not a doctor and Gabe's as tough as they come) https://t.co/uq2tW88nvJ pic.twitter.com/QOomnnVtSx

— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) September 22, 2022

Prediction: ACTIVE

TE Dawson Knox

Knox appeared to injure his foot on the first series of the Bills-Titans game. He was able to return and played until the starters exited. Knox is likely dealing with a mild midfoot sprain. He did not practice on Wednesday, but was able to participate in limited fashion on Thur/Fri. I expect to see Knox active on Sunday without any issues.

S Jordan Poyer

Poyer has also been listed with a “foot” injury. It is likely that is it like the Knox injury, as it is likely a mild foot sprain. He was limited on Wednesday, didn’t practice on Thursday, and was limited again on Friday. McDermott has said that is occurred in the Titans’ game, but he never missed time, which should bode well for his availability on Sunday.

Prediction: ACTIVE

C Mitch Morse

Morse was injured on the first series of the Bills-Titans game. He appeared to get his elbow hyperextended as he was engaged with a defender and Knox’s helmet hit the back of his elbow. Morse was taken to the locker room for x-rays and returned to the game. He is likely still sore but should be able to play with a brace. He practiced in a limited fashion all week.

Prediction: ACTIVE

Also Listed

FB Reggie Gilliam

Gilliam is listed with an “elbow”. He was able to practice in full all week and will play. Gilliam likely suffered a mild sprain early in the game when he landed on an outstretched arm. He was seen playing with an elbow wrap later in the game.

LB Matt Milano

Milano was listed with a “neck” injury this week. He was reported as leaving the game last week after the hit on Malik Willis in the second half. He likely suffered a minor stinger and was taken out in precaution and/or due to score. Milano practiced in full all week.

CB Cam Lewis

Lewis did not play last week but was still listed with a “forearm/knee” on the injury report. Possibly a practice injury, he was still able to practice all week in full.

Featured Image: AP Photo/Matt Durisko