For the third time this season, the Buffalo Bills are without one of their two full-time team captains heading into their Week 8 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, and the team is still unsure if they will have a key leader. for a Week 9 divisional clash with the Miami Dolphins.
Starting quarterback Terrelle Bernard missed Week 8 with an ankle injury suffered in the third quarter of Buffalo’s Week 7 win over the Tennessee Titans; he tried to get back into the game but was eventually ejected. He missed all of last week’s practice with an ankle injury.personal reasons;” he was Friday was ruled out for Week 8.
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Head coach Sean McDermott gave as much of an update as possible on Bernard’s status during Monday’s media availability, telling reporters that there was no significant new information about the quarterback’s illness and that he would learn more as the week went on.
“I don’t know for sure,” McDermott said. “I’d like to say yes, he’s going to play, but I don’t know. All I have right now is that I know a little more (Tuesday). He will work with the trainers again (Tuesday). Last weekend, he, like Curtis Samuel, stayed home to rehabilitate. We’ll know a little bit more (on Tuesday) when they’ve both had a chance to meet the coaches and see where they’re at.”
Bernard’s chest injury was repeated on last week’s injury report; The third-year quarterback suffered chest pain early in Buffalo’s Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins, an ailment that left him “about a month.” Ultimately, he missed two games with the injury, returning for the team’s Week 5 clash with the Houston Texans. The 25-year-old has been impressive when available this season, recording 32 tackles, three tackles for loss and one interception.
It would be a blow for the Bills if the defensive tackle could not go this week, but that’s something they’ve dealt with several times this season; Baylon Spector could start in Bernard’s place if the captain is unable to recover. More information on Bernard’s status will become available as Buffalo works through the week.