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Buffalo survived an overtime thriller in Los Angeles, but now faces a quick turnaround for another road game with a mounting injury list. The Bills (4-1) will visit the Las Vegas Raiders (2-3) at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Allegiant Stadium, and they'll do so with several key players banged up.
Starting right tackle Spencer Brown left Monday night's 37-34 victory over the Rams with a back injury and did not return, adding another starter to Buffalo's health concerns. The Bills already played without wide receiver D.J. Moore, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, cornerback Dee Alford and wide receiver Joshua Palmer against Los Angeles. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford all briefly left Monday's game but returned.
The Raiders have their own injury issues entering Week 6, including running back Ashton Jeanty, who played through ankle and foot injuries in Sunday's loss to New England. Jeanty was listed as questionable but still rushed for 27 yards on 10 carries and caught five passes for 50 yards. "Unless I can't run, jump, I'm playing," Jeanty said. "Football is a tough game. You're never gonna play feeling 100 percent. So at the end of the day, I just want to go out there and do my best for my teammates and whatever it takes."
Key Analysis
The Bills' injury situation is particularly concerning on the offensive line, where Brown's absence could disrupt protection for Josh Allen. Brown has a history of back issues, including surgery before the 2022 season and a flare-up that landed him on the PUP list to start training camp. Tylan Grable filled in for Brown and played the final 48 offensive snaps but was flagged for holding and a false start. With the bye week approaching in Week 7, Buffalo may opt to be cautious with Brown and other injured players.
For the Raiders, Jeanty's toughness is admirable, but his effectiveness could be compromised if he's not fully healthy. The rookie running back has been a bright spot for Las Vegas, and his ability to play through pain will be tested against a Bills defense that, while dealing with its own injuries, remains formidable. The Raiders will also monitor the statuses of defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (concussion protocol), wide receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion protocol), defensive end Patrick Johnson (neck), guard Trey Zuhn III (knee) and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (hamstring).
As both teams navigate their injury reports, the depth of each roster will be tested. The Bills have already made moves to bolster their secondary, signing cornerback Anthony Kendall from the practice squad. The Raiders, meanwhile, could get Nailor back at practice this week, providing a boost to their receiving corps. With playoff implications potentially on the line, how each team manages its injuries could play a significant role in the outcome.
Originally reported by yahoo.