Damar Hamlin tops Bills’ long injury list

The Buffalo Bills are hoping to get back on track in 2024 after years of playoff disappointment. However, things could be more difficult for the Bills with their growing injury list.

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky (knee), receiver Marquez Valdes-Scanting (neck) and tight end Quintin Morris (shoulder) are now out for multiple weeks, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Safety Damar Hamlin (hamstring) and receiver Curtis Samuel (turf toe) are considered week-to-week.

Valdes-Scanting is arguably the most notable absence after signing a one-year, $4.50 maximum contract with the team. He comes to the Bills at a crucial time after the team traded Stefon Diggs to Houston Texas. Buffalo is hoping Scantling’s Super Bowl experience with the Kansas City Chiefs rubs off on the rest of the roster. In addition to his two rings, Scantling caught 63 passes for 1,002 yards and three touchdowns in his two years with the Chiefs.

With Samuel also injured, the Bills’ receivers room has taken a big hit.

While Josh Allen is the unquestioned starter in Buffalo, the Bills want to make sure they have enough backups behind him in case of injury. Trubisky’s injury will put a damper on that plan. Now, the former Dallas Cowboys backup appears to be the frontrunner for that role.

The tight end position will be filled primarily by Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. However, Morris has played in 15 games for the Bills in 2023. His absence may not show up on the stat sheet, but Buffalo will feel it.

And then there is Hamlin, whose story has touched the hearts of the entire nation. He was able to return to football after his terrible injury. However, his hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The Bills have ambitious goals for the 2024 season. The first step will be figuring out how to manage their injury.

Bills must go further

For the last three seasons, Buffalo’s script has been exactly the same. Do just enough to make the playoffs and lose in the divisional round. The fans and management must be sick of this travesty. It’s time to get some results.

Led by Allen, the Bills’ offense ranked fourth in the league with an average of 374.5 yards per game. They were among the top ten in both passing and rushing. But Buffalo must now adjust to life without Diggs. James Cook’s role in the running game will only be more important. The pieces are there, but there are a lot of question marks on the offensive side of the ball.

On defense, the Bills rank ninth in 2023, with 307.2 YPG allowed. While their passing game is good, Buffalo has fallen to 15th overall against the run, with 110.6 YPG allowed. McDermott will be counting on players like Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones to pick up the slack.

The Bills will have a lot to do in 2024. They want to prove they can actually make the playoffs. Things will get complicated with their injuries, but Buffalo has remained determined.