The Buffalo Bills received unfortunate news to start Week 11, as head coach Sean McDermott announced that rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman will miss Sunday’s highly-anticipated clash with the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Coleman, who has emerged as one of quarterback Josh Allen’s top targets this season, suffered a right wrist injury in Buffalo’s Week 9 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
According to sources close to the team, Coleman attempted to practice last week leading up to the Bills’ game against the Indianapolis Colts but was ultimately unable to suit up. While McDermott noted that injured reserve is not expected for the dynamic young wideout, his status for Week 12 and beyond remains uncertain.
“We still feel, as far as I’m being told by the trainers, we still feel like he is improving,” McDermott told reporters on Monday. “It’s just not a situation where we expect him back this week.”
Bills Facing Other Key Injuries Heading into KC Showdown
Coleman’s absence deals a significant blow to a Bills passing attack that ranks second in the NFL in yards per game. The first-year standout from USC has quickly developed chemistry with Allen, hauling in 36 catches for 572 yards and 4 touchdowns through Buffalo’s first 8 games.
Making matters worse, the Bills could also be without two other key offensive contributors in veteran receiver Amari Cooper and fullback Reggie Gilliam. Both players are reportedly “improving” but remain questionable for Sunday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium.
“We’ll see how they do,”
– Coach Sean McDermott on the status of Cooper and Gilliam
Tight end Dalton Kincaid, one of Allen’s favorite red zone targets, also appears to be less than 100% after suffering a left knee injury against the Colts. Kincaid attempted to play through the pain but managed just two snaps in the second half.
“Thought I could go and just didn’t feel good enough to run and be able to go out there and protect myself,” Kincaid admitted in the locker room after the narrow win over Indy.
Bills Defense Could Receive Boost from Milano’s Return
While the injuries on offense are piling up, Buffalo’s defense is poised to get a massive boost in the coming weeks with the impending return of All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano. The centerpiece of the Bills’ league-best scoring defense last season, Milano has been sidelined since August with a torn biceps.
McDermott said Milano’s 21-day practice window will open this week, paving the way for the veteran to rejoin a Bills stop unit that has performed well in his absence but, according to some metrics, hasn’t been quite as dominant. Having Milano’s speed and playmaking ability could be vital against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the league’s most explosive offense on the road.
“He’s such a leader, albeit a little bit on the quieter side, he’s a great player so he’s able to lead by example and influence people in the right ways for us here and that’s been great to see and great to have,”
– McDermott on the impact of Milano’s presence around the team
Can Buffalo’s Depth Overcome Injuries in AFC Heavyweight Battle?
Sunday’s matchup between the Bills and Chiefs was already teeming with major playoff implications in the crowded AFC race. Now with Coleman ruled out and other key contributors hobbled, this early-November tilt takes on even greater importance for Buffalo as they look to keep pace with KC for the conference’s top seed.
- Can Isaiah McKenzie, rookie Tank Dell, and the rest of the Bills’ receiving corps step up to replace Coleman’s production?
- Will Cooper be able to play through his wrist issue and exploit a shaky Chiefs secondary?
- How much will Allen have to shoulder the offensive load without his full complement of weapons?
These are the pressing questions Sean McDermott and his coaching staff must answer as they prepare for their toughest test of the season. If the Bills can go into Arrowhead and knock off Mahomes & Co. even while short-handed, it would send a resounding message to the rest of the league that Buffalo is built to overcome adversity and still compete for a championship.
But with Coleman sidelined, Cooper and Gilliam uncertain, and an undefeated Chiefs squad lying in wait, the Bills will need big-time performances from not just their stars, but their depth pieces as well. It’s the ultimate “next man up” scenario on the grandest of NFL stages. Will Buffalo rise to the occasion or wilt under the bright lights? We’ll find out Sunday in a game that could go a long way to deciding home-field advantage in January.
