The Buffalo Bills are dealing with some big injuries on defense for this week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but could get a huge and largely unexpected return for their offense.
Right guard Spencer Brown has been out since suffering a shoulder injury in the team’s loss to the Houston Texans, but offered a glimmer of hope that he might make a quick return for Sunday’s game. The Bills were forced to start a patchwork offensive line in last week’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Brown’s return could give them a major boost in a game with big playoff implications.
Spencer Brown Rapidly Improving
Brown told reporters on Wednesday that his shoulder was rapidly improving, saying he would know later in the week whether he might be ready to go.
“I’m pretty close, I think,” Brown said, via Thad Brown of WROC. “Just taking it day by day. Obviously, today was a walk-thru, so I just got out here and got my feet moving a little bit.”
The veteran right tackle added that he would likely be able to tell soon whether he could play.
“Got practice (on Thursday), that will be a big tell for me, personally,” he added. “Just put myself in the best to play and if I can’t, then (Ryan Van Demark) will be out there doing his thing again.”
The Bills got more good news as the week went on, with Brown continuing to practice and suffering no setbacks. While his final status was not yet determined, he was listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week, an improvement from the last week when he had been ruled out ahead of time.
Another Big Return for the Bills
Dawkins was also a full participant after missing last week’s game with a concussion, heading into the game with no injury designation.
SI.com’s Alex Brasky noted that having Brown and Dawkins back together would be a significant boost for the Bills.
“With the bookend duo manning their positions this season, the Bills are the No. 1 team in the league in terms of pass block win rate (73%) and No. 2 in run block win rate (74%), per ESPN,” Brasky wrote. “While Van Demark and fellow fill-in Alec Anderson should be celebrated for their efforts against the Steelers, it would be a positive development if both Brown and Dawkins do indeed return vs. the Bengals this coming Sunday afternoon.”
The Bills are in need of a win to keep pace in the playoff race. They go into the week in the seventh and final playoff spot and will likely need to win out for a chance at their sixth straight division title.
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