The Buffalo Bills head into their Thursday night home opener with a few familiar injury concerns still hanging around, but one important defensive name appears ready to go.
Buffalo officially listed three players as questionable after Wednesday’s practice: running back Ty Johnson with a hamstring issue, defensive lineman T.J. Sanders dealing with a knee/illness combination, and safety Cole Bishop with knee and groin injuries.
Johnson and Sanders had already been sitting in that questionable territory since last week, while Bishop landed on the report after being evaluated on the sideline against Houston. All three were limited Wednesday.
The good news for the Bills is that linebacker Terrel Bernard, who had been limited because of a calf injury suffered against the Texans, is not carrying an injury designation. That points to him being available for the primetime matchup. Bradley Chubb also came through the week without a designation after showing up with a thumb issue.
Detroit has injury trouble of its own up front. The Lions will be without starting offensive linemen Christian Mahogany, who has a hip injury, and Blake Miller, who is dealing with a knee injury.
Cornerback D.J. Reed is questionable with a foot injury.
Buffalo is also expected to make two more practice squad callups this week, though it’s not clear whether running back Frank Gore Jr. and wide receiver Greg Dortch will be the choices again for the second straight week. If both are elevated, it would leave the Bills with one remaining callup for the final 15 games, since players can only be elevated three times before the team has to make a roster decision.
The Bills and Lions kick off Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET. The teams last met in 2024, when Buffalo came away with a 48-42 win.
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Bills Fans Get A Wild New Game Day Twist For Lions Opener
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For a building that is already about to host its first regular-season game, the promotion adds a little extra novelty to an already big night in Orchard Park. Buffalo is also trying to keep its early-season momentum going and move to 2-0, so the opener is shaping up as more than just a first look at the new stadium - it is another chance to give the home crowd something to remember. [Read more 🡒]