The Buffalo Bills will be without rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman when they face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and it looks like he could be sidelined for several more weeks.
Coleman sustained a wrist injury late in Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins after taking a hit from Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer. On Friday, the team confirmed that Coleman will miss Sunday’s game, and head coach Sean McDermott indicated that his absence could extend beyond this week.
“It’s likely going to be more than just this week,” McDermott said, per the team’s official site. “It could be multiple weeks, but we’re still unsure how long it will be.”
While the Bills haven’t decided whether to place Coleman on injured reserve, they did make a move to bolster their depth by promoting practice squad wide receiver Jalen Virgil to the active 53-man roster. Virgil had already been elevated twice this season.
Virgil, an undrafted free agent who signed with the Broncos in 2022, played college football at Appalachian State, where he recorded 98 catches for 1,436 yards and 11 touchdowns over five seasons. Known for his speed, Virgil was also recognized as one of *The Athletic’s* “College Football Freaks.”
Bills Take Big Hit on Offense
Coleman had become a key contributor for the Bills, recording 22 receptions for 417 yards and 3 touchdowns in his rookie season.
The Bills have also dealt with other injuries to their receiving corps. Newcomer Amari Cooper missed last week’s Dolphins game with a wrist injury, while Curtis Samuel has also been sidelined, and veteran Mack Hollins has been managing a shoulder issue.
Cooper has shown optimism about his recovery, noting steady progress: “Just taking it day by day, getting better as the days go by,” he said, according to ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg.
The Bills have yet to see the full impact of Cooper’s presence in their offense, as he was traded to Buffalo on Oct. 15 and played just days later against the Tennessee Titans. In that game, he caught 4 passes for 66 yards and 1 touchdown. Afterward, quarterback Josh Allen praised Cooper’s professionalism and quick adjustment to the team’s playbook.
“Being seven years in the league, [Cooper] understands that you don’t need much,” Allen said. “You give him a clear mind and let him play. He did that on a couple of plays—finding zones and making a great catch on that slant. His professionalism and trust in what I see made a big difference.”
Cooper also played against the Seattle Seahawks the following week, but had just one catch for three yards.
