The Buffalo Bills could be getting their star edge rusher back on the field at just the right time.
The team announced on Friday that Joey Bosa would head into Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots without an injury designation. He has been out since suffering an injury just after a game-changing play against the Pittsburgh Steelers and now appears ready to return for what will be a make-or-break game for the team’s divisional hopes.
Sean McDermott Gives Joey Bosa the Go-Ahead
Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters on Friday that Bosa is set to play, returning after a one-game absence. Bosa suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s Week 13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, going out shortly after a strip sack that teammate Christian Benford returned for a touchdown.
Bosa sat out the team’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but now is ready to take the field against the Patriots. Bosa has 15 total tackles with 5.0 sacks this season, with a knack for timely plays.
The Bills got more good news on the injury report, with right tackle Spencer Brown also returning after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury. As ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg noted, Brown tipped off his status earlier in the week.
“It’s good, yeah, we rolling this Sunday,” Brown said.
While it will be important for the Bills to get back two starters, they also got some troubling injury news after Benford was seen in a walking boot. He suffered a foot injury in practice and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
McDermott told reporters on Friday that the team is still evaluating Benford, but it does not appear to be a long-term injury.
“We’re just 24 hours out from it … not even quite 24 hours, so still gathering some information,” McDermott said. “I’m dialoguing with [head athletic trainer Nate Breske] and he’s updating me as we go here.”
Bills Face Must-Win Game
While the Bills saw their playoff odds increase to 98% after last week’s win over the Bengals, Sunday’s game will determine whether they are still in contention for their sixth straight division title. The Patriots enter the game two games ahead of the Bills at the top of the AFC East and would clinch the division with a win.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen said he will need to avoid mistakes against an aggressive Patriots defense.
âItâs [of] the utmost importance, making sure weâre holding onto the football [and] making good decisions with it,â Allen said. âI think what goes into that is making sure weâre practicing extremely well, playing well and that whatever plays weâre putting in weâre extremely comfortable with.â
Allen added that he was putting the responsibility on himself to avoid turnovers, which doomed the Bills in their first meeting with the Patriots. The Bills quarterback threw an interception and lost a fumble in their October loss, with wide receiver Keon Coleman losing another fumble.
âUltimately it comes down to me making the best decision for the football team,â Allen said. âWhen the ballâs in my hands, Iâve got to make sure Iâm remembering that.â
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