The Buffalo Bills enjoyed a decisive win against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but they faced some player losses in the process. Linebackers Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, who together have recorded 102 tackles this season, both left the game with injuries—Bernard with an ankle injury and Williams with a knee injury.
At the beginning of the week, Coach Sean McDermott indicated that the team would assess the linebackers’ conditions as they moved forward. Now that practice has started, the team is beginning to share more details about their injuries.
Williams was able to practice in a limited capacity, providing some optimism that he’ll be good to go by Sunday. However, Bernard missed practice, and McDermott said that he is day-to-day with his ankle injury.
Aside from Williams and Bernard, the Bills did have multiple other defensive starters show up on the injury report. Defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot and Daquan Jones also both missed practice on Wednesday. Smoot is dealing with a groin injury, while Jones has a foot ailment, but according to McDermott, his absence was a rest day.
Although losing Smoot for Sunday would be significant, Bernard’s absence would have the greatest impact. The Bills have already played several games this season without him, and his leadership and intensity have been sorely missed by the defense.
With Bernard listed as day-to-day, the team may not finalize his status for Sunday until the day of the game.
