The Buffalo Bills face the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium on Sunday with multiple starters listed as doubtful, forcing the coaching staff to construct contingency plans across both offense and defense, ESPN Deportes reported.
Joe Brady Addresses Roster Uncertainty
Buffalo head coach Joe Brady declined to rule out any of his injured players ahead of Sunday’s kickoff, despite several key contributors missing the majority of practice sessions during the week. Among those designated as doubtful are wide receiver DJ Moore with a shoulder injury, right tackle Spencer Brown dealing with back issues, and slot cornerback Dee Alford nursing an ankle injury, according to ESPN Deportes.
Secondary Adjustments Due to Absences
Alford’s potential absence creates the most immediate tactical hurdle for the Bills’ secondary, as safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is already unavailable while serving a one-week suspension. Gardner-Johnson fue disciplinado tras un incidente en el que escupió a un rival durante la Semana 6 contra Las Vegas Raiders. When Alford missed time earlier in the year, Buffalo turned to safety Damar Hamlin to fill the nickel role. With Hamlin already slated to start in place of Gardner-Johnson this weekend, Brady noted that the team has evaluated multiple alternative formations.
“We’ve handled a lot of possibilities throughout this year,” Brady told reporters on Friday, as reported by ESPN Deportes. “We have several ideas, but are things you don’t have to wonder about when Dee is on the field.”
The tactical planning becomes more complex against Baltimore because Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers aligns in the slot on more than half of his snaps. In their most recent outing, the Bills deployed primary outside cornerback Christian Benford into the interior to cover tight end Brock Bowers. Brady indicated that perimeter cornerbacks such as Maxwell Hairston also retain the versatility to shift inside if required.
Offensive Line and Skill Position Status
Spencer Brown’s availability remains uncertain after the right tackle missed all practice sessions this week. Brown previously joked that he consumed enough medication to sedate a small elephant in order to play through back trouble against the Raiders, but acknowledged that the subsequent bye week and the physical toll of Week 6 caught up to him. On Friday, Brown stated that he can be ready at any moment. Meanwhile, Moore has not appeared in a game since Week 4, though he participated in practice this week wearing a red non-contact jersey.
The Bills also listed tight end Dalton Kincaid and defensive lineman Greg Gaines as doubtful. Kincaid practiced in a non-contact jersey throughout the week, while Gaines sustained an injury during Friday’s practice session.
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