The Buffalo Bills enter Thursday night’s home opener in relatively good health, but three players remain uncertain against the Detroit Lions.
Safety Cole Bishop, running back Ty Johnson and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders are officially questionable for Week 2. All three were limited during Buffalo’s final practice Wednesday.
Cole Bishop Questionable With Knee and Groin Injuries
Bishop carries the most complicated designation of the group.
The safety began the week as a full participant before being downgraded to limited Tuesday and Wednesday because of knee and groin issues. He is officially questionable for Thursday.
Bishop’s status becomes more significant against a Detroit offense featuring Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Buffalo does not necessarily need Bishop to play every defensive snap, but losing another defensive-back option would reduce the flexibility of a secondary preparing for one of the NFC’s more dangerous skill groups.
His availability may ultimately be determined by how he responds during pregame warmups.
Ty Johnson Remains Limited
Johnson was limited throughout the entire short practice week because of a hamstring injury and is also questionable.
Buffalo still has James Cook III and Ray Davis available in the backfield, so Johnson’s absence would not force a major restructuring of the rushing attack.
Where it could matter more is on passing downs and special teams.
Johnson’s speed and receiving ability give offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael another way to create mismatches, particularly when defenses devote extra attention to Josh Allen, DJ Moore and Dalton Kincaid.
T.J. Sanders Trending Better After Missing Tuesday
Sanders has dealt with both a knee issue and illness this week.
He was limited Monday, did not practice Tuesday and returned as a limited participant Wednesday. He remains questionable.
The return to practice is encouraging.
Buffalo would prefer to have Sanders available against a Detroit running game that leaned heavily on Gibbs in Week 1. The Lions gave Gibbs 29 carries against New Orleans, so defensive-line depth could matter considerably over four quarters.
Terrel Bernard Cleared to Play
One of the better developments for Buffalo involves Terrel Bernard.
The linebacker was limited throughout the week because of a calf injury but received no game designation, meaning he is expected to play Thursday night.
That is significant for a Bills defense preparing to defend Gibbs both as a runner and receiver.
Bernard’s communication and range in the middle of the field become particularly important against an offense capable of forcing linebackers into difficult coverage assignments.
Bradley Chubb and Jordan Hancock Good to Go
Jordan Hancock practiced fully Wednesday after dealing with a quadriceps issue and carries no game designation.
Bradley Chubb was also listed on the injury report earlier in the week because of a thumb issue but does not carry an official status for Thursday’s game.
That gives Buffalo considerably more defensive stability than Detroit currently has on the other sideline.
The Lions have already ruled out offensive linemen Christian Mahogany and Blake Miller, while cornerback D.J. Reed is questionable with a foot injury.
Buffalo’s injury report could be much worse considering the four-day turnaround.
Bernard being cleared is probably the most important development.
Bishop is the player I would watch most closely before kickoff, while Sanders’ return to practice Wednesday provides some optimism that he could be available.
Johnson’s role is easier to redistribute if necessary.
The Bills should enter Thursday with most of their core intact.
Against a Detroit team already dealing with two confirmed offensive-line absences, that could become an important advantage in the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium.
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