The Buffalo Bills are facing a crisis this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it could determine the fate of their season. Why? Because they'll be missing both of their starting offensive tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown. This is a massive blow to an offense already struggling, and it begs the question: can they possibly protect quarterback Josh Allen and maintain their dominant run game without these key players?
Alaina Getzenberg, who covers the Buffalo Bills for ESPN since 2021, reports that both Dawkins and Brown have been officially ruled out by coach Sean McDermott. Getzenberg, an experienced beat reporter also worked for the Charlotte Observer, CBS Sports, and the Dallas Morning News, and is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, brings invaluable insights into the Bills' current predicament.
The injuries stem from their Week 12 loss to the Houston Texans. Spencer Brown is battling a shoulder injury. He attempted to play through the pain, displaying incredible toughness, but ultimately couldn't finish the game, sitting out the crucial final drive. Dion Dawkins, on the other hand, was evaluated for a concussion during the game against the Texans. He was initially cleared to return, which raises some eyebrows, doesn't it? But here's where it gets controversial... Concussion-related symptoms surfaced the following day, leading to Dawkins being placed in concussion protocol, where he remains. This marks the first game Dawkins will miss due to injury since December 1, 2022, highlighting his remarkable durability and importance to the team.
But the injury woes don't stop there. Linebacker Terrel Bernard (elbow) and wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow/knee) are also sidelined for the game. McDermott downplayed the possibility of placing Brown or Bernard on injured reserve, stating that "it doesn't look that way." This suggests the Bills are hoping for a relatively quick return for both players, but only time will tell.
Adding to the uncertainty, wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) are listed as questionable. Palmer aggravated a previous ankle injury during the week, while Kincaid has already missed the past two games. And this is the part most people miss... The absence of Kincaid, a dynamic receiving tight end, significantly limits the Bills' offensive versatility and Allen's options in the passing game.
The Bills desperately need some offensive firepower, especially considering Allen was sacked a career-high eight times against the Texans. The offense has struggled on the road, scoring less than 20 points in each of their three away losses this season. The offensive line has been the engine behind the league's best rushing attack, averaging an impressive 147.2 yards per game. The question now is, can they maintain that dominance with their starting tackles out?
So, who will fill the void at the tackle positions? Swing tackle Ryan Van Demark and offensive lineman Alec Anderson are the leading candidates. Van Demark even started in place of Brown earlier this season, providing some much-needed experience. Lineman Tylan Grable, who is currently on injured reserve but had his practice window opened this week, is another potential option, adding a glimmer of hope for the Bills.
"We're going through some of the different options," McDermott explained. "Have a lot of confidence in those guys. Some of the guys are younger, some are a little bit older... What they lack in experience, they're gonna make up for in grit, toughness and those that are playing alongside of them will help them out as well best they can." McDermott's emphasis on "grit" and "toughness" suggests the Bills are preparing for a physical battle against the Steelers, relying on their backups to step up and fight for every yard.
Ultimately, the Bills' ability to overcome these significant injuries will depend on the performance of their backup offensive linemen, the creativity of their play-calling, and the leadership of Josh Allen. Can the Bills pull off a victory against the Steelers despite these challenges? Or will the depleted offensive line lead to another frustrating loss? What do you think? Will the Bills' backups rise to the occasion, or will the Steelers' defense exploit their inexperience? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
