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Buffalo Bills: Defensive roster adjustments
By Kelly Baker
The Buffalo Bills are in a less than desirable situation after losing another important AFC game to the Kansas City Chiefs last week. For a season that started out very promising, the injury-riddled Bills are now 5-6 and at risk of missing the playoffs. Alongside the host of performance hindering setbacks, inconsistent play forced Buffalo to search for answers late in the season. With just five games left, the Bills have called upon several newcomers to fill critical roster voids.
While injuries seemed to favor the offense early on, Buffalo’s defense has taken a few significant hits lately. Defensive tackle Alex Carrington, who was starting in place of defensive tackle Kyle Williams, sustained a season ending knee injury in Kansas City. Both Williams and Carrington have been placed on the injured reserve list to free up roster space for relief from defensive tackle T.J. Barnes, linebacker Kevin Reddick and defensive end Lavar Edwards. Additionally, since starting linebacker Nigel Bradham is nursing an ankle injury, and will be unavailable for Sunday’s game, rookie linebacker Tony Steward will take his place in Buffalo’s lineup.
Although things have looked bleak for Buffalo’s defensive unit, the squad can find some comfort in having defensive end Mario Williams back at practice. According to Buffalo’s injury report, Williams was limited in practice participation after a foot injury left him sidelined last week. Buffalo’s defense, which was expected to be one of the best in the league, has struggled throughout the season. Adjusting to head coach Rex Ryan’s complex schemes has proved troubling for the unit, which is currently ranked No. 20 overall.
Despite the series of roster changes Buffalo has had to make, the team remains hopeful that things can still come together. While the playoffs seem out of reach for this Buffalo team eager to break the franchise’s 15-year drought, the Bills are still in contention. Buffalo will finally return home this Sunday, after three weeks on the road, to face the Houston Texans. After winning four in a row, the Texans are on a hot streak in the AFC and expected to make a playoff run. With adversity at a season high and no room for error, Buffalo will receive the team’s biggest test yet and failing this one is not an option.
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