Bills head coach Sean McDermott has ruled out linebacker Matt Milano, defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, and safety Damar Hamlin for the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons. Milano is dealing with a pectoral injury, Sanders has a knee issue, and Hamlin also has a pectoral injury.
McDermott stated that both Sanders and Hamlin will be placed on Injured Reserve in the near future. He explained Hamlin’s situation by saying, “(Damar Hamlin) had a pec situation come up in practice.” Regarding Sanders, McDermott said, “We were weighing the options and seeing what one day at a time would do in terms of improving his situation. It didn’t look like it was improving, so we decided to (have him) get surgery and put him on IR.”
When asked about whether the injuries to Sanders or Hamlin would end their seasons, McDermott replied that he was not certain. “Don’t know on either of them, really,” he said. “(I) feel a little bit better about T.J. (Sanders). Damar (Hamlin) is up in the air at this point.”
Milano did not participate in practice this week after re-aggravating his pectoral injury during last week’s game against the New England Patriots.
The team did not provide updates on tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) or wide receiver Curtis Samuel (neck/ribs). “Dalton Kincaid and Curtis (Samuel), we’ll look at them today and see what they can get done here for us,” McDermott said.
Kincaid was limited during Thursday and Friday practices, while Samuel was limited Thursday but did not participate Friday. Both players are officially listed as questionable after Saturday’s post-practice evaluation.
Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who has been sidelined since Week 1 due to an ankle injury, was limited in practice but may be close to returning. McDermott commented on Oliver’s progress: “He’s looking good,” he said. “Coming off of being out for a little bit of time here. So, I think practice has been good for him. And getting him back and knocking some of the rust off there as well. I think he’s getting excited.” Oliver added after Friday’s practice: “I feel a lot better than last week, a lot more confident,” he said. “I’m ready.”
Other players including left tackle Dion Dawkins (thumb), safety Taylor Rapp (nose), and linebacker Dorian Williams (knee) were limited earlier in the week but fully participated in Friday’s session.
