By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
At 2-7 and with an offense that struggles to put up 10 points in a game, there isn’t much reason for Buffalo Bills fans to tune to the rest of the season.
Unless Josh Allen can finally play.
The rookie quarterback who stuffed an elbow strain is continuing to rehab his injury. In Week 10, the Bills will visit the New York Jets (3-6).
According to Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott on Monday, there is some good progress to Allen’s injury as of late. Following Sunday’s 41-9 loss to the Chicago Bears, McDermott confirmed that Allen started to throw a football for the first time since his injury last Friday.
Per McDermott on Monday, the number of passes in a day Allen is up to is about 100, three weeks removed from suffering the elbow sprain. With the numbers steadily increasing, McDermott hasn’t ruled out Allen making his return to the starting lineup this upcoming week.
“We’re going to take it day-to-day at this point in terms of his availability for this week,” McDermott said.
A potential Allen return would see him face fellow rookie QB Sam Darnold. However, Darnold and Allen will likely have a number of spars in their NFL careers as the two both play in the AFC East. That, combined with the Bills having their bye week in Week 11, could mean Buffalo will give Allen an addition two-to-three more weeks of rest before putting him back in the lineup.
Without Allen, Derek Anderson could be the next man up if he clears the concussion protocol this week. Behind Anderson would be this past week’s starter, Nathan Peterman.
Outside of the quarterback room, the Bills have two more players that are considered “week-to-week,” per McDermott. Those two are tight end Charles Clay (hamstring) and defensive end Trent Murphy (knee). Clay injured his knee this past weekend while Murphy has now missed multiple games due to his injury.
Rounding out the injury report are rookie linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (concussion) and running back Chris Ivory (shoulder). Both are day-to-day injuries.