Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Buffalo Bills

As the Buffalo Bills prepare for a critical Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, the team received a major blow on Friday when head coach Sean McDermott announced three key players have been ruled out due to injuries. Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Buffalo Bills breaks down the implications of these absences—each hitting a different unit of the team—and how the Bills plan to adjust their strategy to compensate. For a team fighting to secure a top-two seed in the AFC, losing rotational and starter-level talent isn’t just a depth test; it’s a challenge to maintain the consistency that has made them a playoff contender all season.

Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Buffalo Bills starts with the most impactful loss: starting right guard Ryan Bates, who suffered a high ankle sprain in last week’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bates, a fifth-year player, has been a staple of the Bills’ offensive line since 2020, starting 38 games over the last three seasons and playing 92% of the team’s offensive snaps this year. His ability to both pass-block (he’s allowed just 1 sack all season) and run-block (the Bills average 4.7 yards per carry when running behind him) has made him irreplaceable in the interior. After testing his ankle in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Bates was unable to move at full speed, leading McDermott to rule him out. “Ryan is a key part of our line, and losing him hurts,” McDermott said. “He’s been consistent all year, and his communication with the center and tackle is vital. We’ll have to adjust, but we have confidence in the guys stepping up.”

A second critical absence in Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Buffalo Bills is defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, who is sidelined with a knee injury. Jones, a 10-year veteran in his second season with the Bills, has emerged as a run-stopping force in the middle of the defense, recording 32 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 tackles for loss this season. The Bills rank 8th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (98.5 per game), and Jones has been a big reason why—opposing running backs average just 2.8 yards per carry when running up the middle against him. His injury occurred during a practice drill on Tuesday, and an MRI revealed a mild MCL sprain, which will keep him out for at least one week. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier noted that Jones’ absence will force the Bills to shuffle their defensive line rotation. “DaQuan clogs up lanes and frees up our linebackers to make plays,” Frazier said. “Losing him means we’ll have to rely on younger guys to step up, and we’ll likely adjust our schemes to limit the Browns’ running game.”

Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Buffalo Bills also includes the loss of special teams ace Tyler Matakevich, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. While Matakevich isn’t a starter on offense or defense, he’s one of the Bills’ most valuable special teams players, leading the unit in tackles (12) and playing 85% of the team’s special teams snaps this season. He’s a key contributor on kickoff and punt coverage, and his absence leaves a gap in a unit that has been among the league’s best at preventing big returns (the Bills rank 6th in opponent kickoff return average, at 19.2 yards per return). Special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence in the team’s depth. “Tyler is a leader on special teams, and we’ll miss his energy and tackling ability,” Smiley said. “But we’ve cross-trained guys all season to step into these roles, so we’re prepared to adjust.” For the Buffalo Bills, Matakevich’s absence is a reminder of how important special teams are to winning close games—something they learned last season when a late punt return cost them a playoff win.

Another layer of Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Buffalo Bills is the replacements the Bills plan to deploy. For Bates’ right guard spot, the team will turn to rookie sixth-round pick O’Cyrus Torrence, who has played in 11 games this season but has yet to start. Torrence, a standout at Florida, is known for his strength (he bench-pressed 225 pounds 34 times at the NFL Combine) and has impressed coaches with his quick adaptation to the NFL. “O’Cyrus has been working hard all season, and he’s ready for this opportunity,” offensive line coach Aaron Kromer said. “He’s physical, he’s smart, and he knows our system well.” To replace Jones, the Bills will use a rotation of defensive tackles Jordan Phillips and Tim Settle, both of whom have experience as starters. Phillips, a veteran in his second stint with the Bills, has 2 sacks and 15 tackles this season, while Settle has 1 sack and 12 tackles. On special teams, linebacker Terrel Bernard will take over Matakevich’s role in coverage, a position he’s filled in spot duty earlier this season. For the Buffalo Bills, these replacements aren’t just fill-ins—they’re players who have been preparing for this moment, and their performance could shape the team’s playoff depth.

Looking ahead, Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Buffalo Bills highlights the importance of this game against the Browns, even with key absences. The Bills currently hold the AFC’s No. 3 seed, but a win would keep them within striking distance of the No. 2 seed (held by the Baltimore Ravens) and help them maintain their lead in the AFC East over the Miami Dolphins. While losing Bates, Jones, and Matakevich is far from ideal, McDermott emphasized that adversity is part of the NFL. “Every team deals with injuries this time of year,” he said. “It’s how you respond that defines you. We have confidence in our roster, our coaches, and our game plan. We’re ready to go out there and compete.” For the Buffalo Bills, this game is a chance to prove their resilience—to show that even when key players are sidelined, they can still execute at a high level. Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Buffalo Bills isn’t just about injuries; it’s about a team that has built depth and trust in its system, and that’s ready to face a challenge head-on.