EJ Gaines in out indefinitely.
By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts will faceoff at New Era Field on Thursday. It’s both of their preseason openers.
Prior to the Bills’ final training camp practice, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott discussed how much starters could play in the game.
McDermott said “roughly a quarter” of playing time could be found for the Bills’ first team. That could change in-game depending on scenarios or if he wants to give one of the units one more series heading into the second quarter.
Typically the third preseason game is when starters play the most, usually into the second half of a game. In the fourth and final game, it’s about one series for the starters.
Of note, center Mitch Morse (concussion) likely won’t play. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was already ruled out as well.
Gaines expected to miss weeks
Bills cornerback EJ Gaines came back to Buffalo hoping to rid himself of an injury bug that’s followed him for most of his career. Instead, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said it’s back on Tuesday.
Prior to the team’s final training camp practice at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, McDermott said “at this point it’ll be a number of weeks” in regard to Gaines’ health. Gaines is bothered by a combination of a groin/ hip injury.
McDermott and the Bills then updated the status of right tackle LaAdrian Waddle, who signed with the team this offseason and was vying for a depth role on the team’s offensive line. Waddle was carted off the field on Sunday and missed Monday’s practice.
“L.A., doesn’t look like at this point… it’s going to take him a long time here, based on the report we got. What happens with that remains to be seen,” McDermott said.
Can’t give the Colts a thing ahead of Thursday’s preseason opener, except the Bills then announced moments later Waddle was placed on the team’s IR list and Buffalo added Rochester native Jarron Jones to the roster.
Rounding out the injury updates, Dawson Knox and Jason Croom were reportedly working out a little brisker on the sideline via The Athletic on Monday as the part of tight ends are both dealing with hamstring issues. McDermott did not provide a timetable update, but did say they’re both “moving in the right direction.”
McDermott provided no update on center Mitch Morse. However, he’s in the concussion protocol, so it makes sense that McDermott would be mum on Morse’s status, unlike that Waddle thing. The Athletic also put Morse into the same category of sideline drills on Tuesday, which included “change of direction” drills. Good signs.
As practice got going Monday, guard Jon Feliciano, who’s dealt with a shoulder injury and was a limited participant on Monday, was not on the field.