Bills Coach McDermott Addresses Injured Players Ahead of Week 5

Orchard Park, NY — Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott provided a limited update on the status of injured players, including cornerback Maxwell Hairston and kicker Tyler Bass, as the team prepares for Week 5.

Hairston and Bass, along with offensive tackle Tylan Grable and wide receiver Gabe Davis, were placed on Injured Reserve at the start of the season, requiring them to miss the first four games. McDermott stated that it’s uncertain if any of these players will return to practice this week, expressing caution about their recovery timelines.

“I don’t have great word on that,” McDermott told reporters Monday. “It’s just the day after the game at this point.”

The Bills are allowed to open a 21-day practice window for each player this week, which would enable them to participate in team activities without being added to Buffalo’s 53-man roster. If the window expires without action, the players must either be activated or remain on IR for the remainder of the season.

<p“Number one is them getting healthy enough to be back, and then two, what is the next move?” McDermott added.

Hairston has been recovering from an LCL injury and has been seen working with trainers during practice, albeit in a knee brace. While there were initial concerns of a worse knee injury, Hairston’s recovery is progressing, though much remains uncertain.

Bass, who suffered from pelvic soreness, returned for the Bills’ final preseason game before landing on IR due to groin and hip injuries. He has since been replaced by 41-year-old Matt Prater, who has made eight of nine field goal attempts this season.

Grable was placed in the concussion protocol during training camp and was expected to be a key backup for the Bills. Meanwhile, Davis was placed on the practice squad injured list to continue recovering from a knee injury sustained last season.

<pThe head coach concluded, “Those decisions will be made at the right time. Conversations will be had, so we’ll go forward with that in mind.” The Bills are scheduled to return to the practice field on Wednesday in preparation for their upcoming game against the New England Patriots.