We have the first official injury report of the season. Probably not something that should make us excited, but here we are, being very Buffalonian in our eagerness to comb through all the videos, team practice photos, and press conferences ahead of the Buffalo Bills’ Week 1 matchup with the Houston Texans.
There’s been a lot of talk about this year’s Bills team being different — from every angle — and that includes how the coaching staff, and medical team, are approaching player health. These reports will start to tell us if we have something to be excited about or if we are headed for another — what did Brandon Beane call it? — reset?
Now we have our first official look at the health meter for both the Bills and the Texans heading into Sunday.
NOTE: This tracker will be updated following each injury report leading up to kickoff.
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Buffalo Bills injury report
Wednesday
Practicing with an injury
- DJ T.J Sanders – Knee – Limited
Not practicing
- DB Jordan Hancock – Quad
- RB Ty Johnson – Hamstring
What we’re watching
If Johnson can’t go, there’s a strong likelihood Frank Gore Jr. is elevated to be the Bills third running back in this game. That exact elevation occurred in Buffalo’s wild-card win over the Jaguars last January. If Hancock, the Bills can choose from rookies Jalon Kilgore or Davison Igbinosun to man the backup nickel spot… and will likely lean on Damar Hamlin to be their third safety.
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Houston Texans injury report
Wednesday
Practicing with an injury
- LB Wade Woodaz — Thumb — Full
- OT Trent Brown – Wrist – Full
- DT Kayden McDonald – Ankle – Limited
Not practicing
- N/A
What we’re watching
There’s not much here to monitor, although Brown is filling in for Braden Smith at right tackle. The towering veteran being a full participant on Wednesday hints he’ll be ready for Sunday. McDonald was a mock-draft favorite for many Bills fans in March and April, but the Texans picked him near the top of the second round. He’s a super-thick run-stuffer. We should monitor his injury status all week.
