Zeal Talk Report with JGILLZ: Buffalo Bills Trending Towards Health As Major Matchups Approach

Written by Jalen McGill

Kaiir Elam

It’s no secret the Achilles heel of this season for the Buffalo Bills has been health. From losing Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, and Daquan Jones for the season, to the litany of in-season injuries on the offense and defensive sides of the ball, the Bills health has been a major concern.

Things are looking to change this week as several key players for the Bills look to be nearing a return. Both Dawson Knox and Kaiir Elam, who have been on injured reserve, had their 21-day practice window open up for them to return to practice on Wednesday, December 6th.

Coach McDermott has stated this doesn’t mean they are going to play immediately, but their taking it a day at a time. He was quoted saying, “We’re going to take it one day at a time with both of those guys.”

The return of Knox and Elam will provide a great boost to both the offense and the defense. Offensively, the Bills were finding great success in boosting the usage of first round pick Dalton Kincaid. In Knox’s absence, Kincaid has averages 7.5 targets, 6.5 catches, and 59 yards per game while notching 2 touchdowns in that span. He’s seen a significant increase from his previous games with Knox on the field where he averaged 3.8 targets, 3.4 catches, and 23.6 yards per game with 0 touchdowns. With Kincaid getting more comfortable in the system, I look for the Bills to utilize both tight ends on the field to help the Bills run game and continue to provide quarterback Josh Allen with big targets over the middle of the field.

Dawson Knox

As for the defense, the return of Kaiir Elam will provide a depleted and aging Bills secondary a former 1st round pick who can bring some young legs as the teams looks to make a race for the playoffs. Even though Elam struggled in the defense earlier this season, he was truly missed as the Bills secondary continued to lose player after player.

Speaking of the Bills secondary, Coach McDermott also said cornerback Dane Jackson has cleared concussion protocol and safety Taylor Rapp returned to practice Wednesday as a full participant. As for Von Miller, McDermott stated that on Wednesday, the veteran had a vet rest day, but would be a full participant on practice for the rest of the week. Miller’s probability of playing looks more optimal than any of the other the returning players.

Jalen McGill

The Buffalo Bills will need to lean on the health of their group if they plan on beating the Kansas City Chief and making the playoffs.

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