Bills makes a decision on Keon Coleman’s availability against Chiefs

 

 

Bills makes a decision on Keon Coleman’s availability against Chiefs

Portrait of Sal MaioranaSal Maiorana

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

 

 

 

 

 

 

ORCHARD PARK – Injuries will once again be a heavy focus this week as the Buffalo Bills prepare for their biggest game of the season Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

 

Coach Sean McDermott said Monday that wide receiver Keon Coleman will not play in the game, though that was expected. There has not been a decision made on whether Coleman will go on injured reserve, but for now, it seems like with the bye coming after Kansas City, the Bills are trying to avoid that.

 

“No, As far as I’m being told by the trainers, we still feel like he is improving,” McDermott said. “It’s just not a situation where we expect him back this week.”

 

As for wide receiver Amari Cooper and fullback Reggie Gilliam, McDermott termed them as “improving” but he also said that last week before the Bills defeated the Colts 30-20 and neither played.

 

“I think some of it’s pain, pain tolerance and threshold,” he said of Cooper’s situation. “So we’ll just see. I don’t know the medical terms that you’re looking for there. I just take my cues from Nate and we go from there.”

 

Clearly, Cooper’s status is going to be critical because running out players like Tyrell Shavers and Jalen Virgil in the receiving corps will not be ideal against the undefeated Super Bowl champions.

 

Tight end Dalton Kincaid is another key player who is probably going to be questionable. He suffered a knee injury in Indianapolis, tried to return, but he realized right away that he wasn’t going to be able to function properly so he took himself out.

 

“We’ll see how he fares the next couple of days,” McDermott said of Kincaid.

 

Obviously, not having Kincaid would force Dawson Knox into a much bigger role, and will bring Quintin Morris into the game plan when the Bills want to go with two tight ends.

 

Offensive tackle Spencer Brown suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter, but he was able to finish the game. McDermott said “he’s sore” and he’ll be evaluated once the practice week begins Monday.

 

Is this finally the week the Chiefs’ luck runs out? Bills set to answer these 3 questions

Bills vs. Chiefs predictions: Biggest game of the year will be a nail-biter, experts say

Patrick Mahomes has beaten a different class of QBs than Josh Allen in the playoffs

Chiefs, Bills face each other in titanic showdown. What NFL power rankings expert say

Bills back at home for most highly anticipated game of NFL season: What to know

NFL Today pregame show coming to Buffalo parking lot for huge Bills vs Chiefs game

“Again, we’re going to see how it unfolds for all those guys,” McDermott said.

 

McDermott also announced that linebacker Matt Milano’s 21-day practice window will open this week. Milano suffered a torn bicep during practice on Aug. 13 and his return to the defense was anticipated around early December and that appears to be on track to happen.

 

Milano can return to practice and not count against the roster until he’s activated off injured reserve. The bye week counts in that 21-day period, so by opening it this week, while McDermott said Milano will not play Sunday, it seems like a sign that he’s close enough to get back for the 49ers game on Dec. 1.

 

“It’s been a while since he’s played,” McDermott said Monday. “He’s done a phenomenal job, along with our trainers, of getting back out there (and) taking it one day and one week at a time. He’s been back in the building more this year after this year’s injury. It’s afforded him the opportunity to rehab here, be around the guys, which I think, mentally, has been good for Matt, but also good for our defense and for our team. He’s such a leader, albeit a little bit on the quieter side.”

 

One guy who is hopeful for a Milano return is defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.

 

“He’s been totally engaged in the team and what we’re doing,” Babich said. “Matt’s done a lot of great things for this organization. Obviously, I have a pretty close relationship with him, having coached him for two years (as linebacker coach). And I’m just excited he gets an opportunity to get back on the field. Like, it’s been a long time coming.

 

“You think all the way back to London last year and how bad you felt for him, and that would happen in training camp this year, and that extended period of time. So I’m excited that he gets a chance to throw that helmet back on, lace ‘em up with his with his guys. And do what he loves to do.”

 

Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades including 35 years as the full-time beat writer for the D&C, and he has written numerous books about the history of the team. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana.https://profile.d

emocratandchronicle.com/newsletters/bills-blast