The Buffalo Bills lost a key piece before kickoff Sunday night, as defensive tackle Ed Oliver was injured in warmups and will not play against the Detroit Lions.
Oliver, who posted five tackles, one tackle for loss and a quarterback hit in Buffalo’s 36-31 Week 1 win, gives the Bills a noticeable hole on the defensive front. That absence hits even harder because rookie Zane Durant, the expected backup, is already on injured reserve.
Buffalo did get one of its important defenders back in the mix. Safety Cole Bishop is active after dealing with knee and groin injuries against the Houston Texans. He was limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and entered the prime-time matchup with a questionable tag.
The Bills’ inactive list also includes wide receiver Skyler Bell, defensive lineman T.J. Sanders, safety Jalon Kilgore, offensive linemen Ar’maj Reed-Adams and Jude Bowry, and running back Ty Johnson.
Buffalo also elevated wide receiver/punt returner Greg Dortch and running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad for the second straight week. Dortch handled kick returns and punt returns in Buffalo’s season opener, while Gore worked as the team’s third-down back.
On the other sideline, Detroit is dealing with its own lineup issues. Starting safeties Brian Branch and Kirby Joseph are out after opening the season on the physically unable to perform list.
The Lions are also short up front. Left guard Christian Mahogany, right tackle Blake Miller and starting center Cade Mays are all out.
Mahogany and Miller were ruled out with hip and knee injuries, respectively, while Mays is dealing with a wrist injury he picked up at training camp. Detroit is expected to start Ben Bartch at left guard, Juice Scruggs at center and Larry Borom at right tackle.
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