Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver has not played in a game since the teamâs victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Currently, he is nursing an ankle injury, and there was some optimism he might return last week against the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, he was unable to take the field during that matchup.
However, there’s been some positivity around Oliver returning against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Ed Oliver Feels Good About Where He is At
“I feel good,” Oliver told reporters after they asked how he felt on Friday. “A lot better than last week, I’m more confident I’m ready.”
Ed Oliver’s been out since the SNF opener.
After practicing, but not playing last week, the #Bills DT feels close for a return MNF at the Falcons.
Here’s Oliver on his path back from an ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/Ta0pLwNLrD
â Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) October 10, 2025
Oliver tried to give it a go last week, but just wasn’t feeling like he could get it done.
“I just wasn’t where I needed to be,” Oliver said on why he missed the Bills vs Patriots matchup. “I’m still not where I need to be, but I’ve made significant progress since last week. That’s promising, and it gives me the motivation to go back out there and do my thing.”
It seems Oliver is geared up to return, which would give a much-needed lift to a defense that has struggled to stop the run this season.
Pro Football Focus ranks the Bills’ rush defense as the 28th in the NFL. This season, theyâve allowed an average of 145.6 rushing yards per game, also placing them at 28th in that category.
If the Bills want to secure a spot in the postseason, they need to improve their ability to stop the run. If they can’t, opposing teams will run the ball at will, keeping quarterback Josh Allen off the field and limiting his opportunities to make plays.
Even though the Bills are struggling on defense, Oliver believes they’re still in a great position to make the playoffs, which is why he didn’t rush back from his injury.
“We will probably make a deep run in the playoffs,” Oliver added. “Not coming back too quickly and letting the injury linger on, and getting to the point where I can progress and play at the same time.”
The Bills Have Their Eyes on The Playoffs
Oliver is keeping an eye on him and the rest of the team, but wonât be back too soon. It might be frustrating not to see Oliver on the field for the past four weeks, but the most important part of the Bills’ season happens in January, not September.
If Oliver hurries back from his injury too quickly and struggles with it throughout the entire season, he risks being unfit for the playoffs. That wouldn’t be beneficial for either him or Buffalo.
The Bills should take it week by week with Oliver, observing how he performs in practice and games. There’s a likelihood Oliver will play this weekend, but he might be on a limited snap count, which would be suitable for him, not to make him play too many snaps and suffer another setback.
Buffalo is heading into its bye week after this game, so it might want to give Oliver a few snaps before allowing him to take it easy for almost two weeks.
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