The Buffalo Bills open their brand-new stadium for real tonight, taking on the Detroit Lions in what should be an entertaining contest. Given the Bills’ Detroit roots — team founder and NFL Hall of Famer Ralph Wilson Jr. grew up in Detroit, and he maintained business operations in Michigan throughout his life—this is a fitting matchup for the first regular-season game at new Highmark Stadium.
After earning a hard-fought victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, Buffalo enters this one relatively healthy. The same can’t be said for Detroit, who sports a banged-up unit following their 31-30 overtime victory against the New Orleans saints just four days ago. Detroit has already ruled out two starting offensive linemen, who join two starting safeties among the players who won’t participate tonight.
Speaking of starting safeties, Cole Bishop popped up on the injury report this week for Buffalo, as he was listed as questionable entering play. We now have clarity on his status, as well as the other inactive players for both teams. Here is the full list.
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DT Ed Oliver
Oliver was not listed on the Bills’ injury report this week so this is a surprise. He injured his hip during warmups according to the team. With a wet field and nine days to the next game, they are being cautious. He played more than 80% of the snaps last week. OLB Mike Danna was inactive last week and he gets the jersey tonight.
RB Ty Johnson
While the veteran was able to work more in practice drills this week, Buffalo will err on the side of caution and sit him down for one more week. Frank Gore Jr. is active after his second-straight week with an elevation from the practice squad.
S Jalon Kilgore
Like Johnson, Kilgore missed the first game of the year with an injury.
WR Skyler Bell
With veteran Greg Dortch elevated earlier today from the practice squad, Buffalo has once again chosen to deactivate their 2026 fourth-round pick. Dortch seems to have a hold on the punt-return gig as well as the second kickoff return spot, so his special teams versatility trumps Bell’s big-play potential for the time being.
T/G Jude Bowry
Speaking of inactive 2026 fourth-round picks, Buffalo’s other fourth-round choice in April is also a healthy scratch for the second straight game. Tylan Grable is the swing tackle behind Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown.
G Ar’Maj Reed-Adams
With ten offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, Buffalo has more than they need. Reed-Adams, a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is a solid developmental prospect, but he’s a healthy scratch for now. Veterans Austin Corbett and Lloyd Cushenberry remain the reserve interior offensive linemen.
DL T.J. Sanders
Sanders missed Sunday’s game with a new injury, and while he was estimated to make two limited practices this week, he missed all of Tuesday’s work due to illness. Week 3 will be an interesting one for the defensive line, as Sanders will likely be healthy. Who, if anyone, will he replace on the gameday roster?
