‘Hyde was later ruled out, per the team’s Thursday injury report, along with wide receiver Justin Shorter (hamstring), whose 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve remains open. Epenesa, who was marked as questionable to play Saturday, and Hyde each missed the team’s Week 15 win over the Dallas Cowboys due to their respective injuries, while Shorter has been on IR since the preseason.’
BillsBeat - December 22, 2023
Health and unique versatility make Taron Johnson the Bills' most indispensable defender
‘But it’s Johnson’s versatility that makes him the most important player on the defense. His combination of coverage, physicality and tackling allows the Bills to substitute scarcely without teams being able to exploit a mismatch.’
Bills place Jordan Phillips on IR, rule out Micah Hyde vs. Chargers
‘Phillips said he hopes to be back for the playoffs, but this is the latest injury on a long list over the last four seasons. The 31-year-old had played in all 14 games this season, making 2 ½ sacks and two tackles for a loss, but he missed 15 games over the previous three seasons.’
Friday's Los Angeles Coverage
Cameron Dicker the attorney? Chargers kicker makes Pro Bowl case (Los Angeles Times)
Chargers WR Keenan Allen ruled out for 2nd consecutive game (Orange County Register)
NFL receptions leader Keenan Allen will miss second straight game when Chargers host Bills (AP)
Chargers rule out receiver Keenan Allen (heel) vs. Bills (ESPN)
Why a disconnected Chargers team was Brandon Staley’s downfall (ESPN)
Look: Chargers put together hilarious Pro Bowl ad campaign for Cameron Dicker (CBS Sports)
Dicker the Kicker video: Chargers go viral for hilarious ‘don’t be a d—’ Cameron Dicker Pro Bowl vote campaign (The Sporting News)
5 Final Thoughts: Bolts Look to Rally Around Giff Smith in Week 16 (Chargers.com)
Week 16 Injury Report | Chargers vs. Bills: Keenan Allen Ruled Out Against Buffalo (Chargers.com)
Bills place DT Phillips on IR because of wrist injury and safety Hyde ruled out against Chargers
‘Phillips’ spot on the roster is likely to be filled by defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, who has resumed practicing and eligible to be activated off injured reserve after missing nine games with a torn pectoral muscle. Jones was listed as questionable to play Saturday, when Buffalo (8-6) travels to face the Los Angeles Chargers (5-9).’
Josh Allen, playoff-contending Bills hope to take care of business against free-falling Chargers
‘Cook will be facing a Chargers run defense that has allowed an average of 146.2 yards over the past six games. Buffalo has also used Latavius Murray near the goal line, while also working in Ty Johnson as a change-of-pace runner.’
Cook, Bills aim to continue late-season surge in visiting reeling Chargers
‘Key Matchup: Chargers QB Easton Stick vs. the Bills defense. Stick threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start, but the majority of that production came after the game has been long since decided. Now he will have to deal with a confident Buffalo group which smothered Dallas, allowing 3.4 yards per play. The Bills cruised while only forcing one turnover, so the Chargers could be in trouble if Stick cannot protect the ball better. He lost two fumbles and threw a pick-6 in the rout in Las Vegas.’
Saturday night’s Bills-Chargers game on Peacock will not have commercials during fourth quarter
‘Rob Hyland, the coordinating producer for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” said there have been discussions about this game since June about how to make it unique and distinct from a regular NBC broadcast.’
Is it safe to believe in the Buffalo Bills again?
‘But with the Bills discussed among the best teams in the AFC while also sitting outside of the playoffs, have the problems of midseason truly been put in the past? Is this team back and primed for a run? Let’s take a look at the woes from midseason and see how they are trending.’
Saturday’s Bills-Chargers Broadcast on Peacock to Feature Unique Wrinkle
‘As part of the announcement NBC stated that the planned a 40% reduction in ads will be replaced with more than 12 minutes of game content. While there won’t be commercials, there will still be scheduled breaks for the players throughout the fourth quarter like a traditional broadcast. But instead of airing commercials during these game breaks, Peacock will instead air special in-game content, studio updates and other analysis during the pauses in the action throughout the fourth quarter.’
Bills place Jordan Phillips on Injured Reserve
‘The move means Phillips in ineligible to play in any of the final three regular season games, and must also sit out the Wild Card Round of the players, should the Bills make it to the postseason. He would be first eligible to return in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.’
McDermott: Bills have to be ready for Chargers' best on Saturday
‘”There’s some unknowns, we’re not really sure what to expect schematically, there’s not much table quarterback. So we have to go out there expecting their best,” said McDermott during his weekly appearance on the “Extra Point Show” on WGR. “Typically teams bounce back from situations [like this], and we’ve got to be ready to play.”‘
Bills stadium construction progresses, remains on schedule heading into 2024
‘”There’s still some soil coming out as we’re doing other work, but for the most part, the major excavation and removal is complete,” said John Polka, vice president of stadium development for the Bills. “For folks who are either driving by on Abbott or here on game days, the walls that you’re seeing are steel piles that are driven, and then precast panels that go in those to hold back that excavation so that we can safely complete work inside. And some of the work that’s going on inside right now, or the majority of the work or the focus of the work is on the foundation’s that are going in preparation for structural steel to start here in the next 30-to-45 days.”‘
Two more arrests for trespassing stadium site
‘Chief Tim Carney says one incident happened pregame, the other before the end of the game. Those two face trespassing charges, and brings the total to 10 so far. “I think in probably more than half of the instances there was alcohol involved. In the other instances, I compare it to that big, shiny ball that kind of draws everyone’s attention,” says Carney. He believes the number will increase as construction draws closer to completion.’
IR move for Bills DT Jordan Phillips, S Micah Hyde ruled out vs. Chargers
‘Phillips, who started the past nine games for Buffalo before getting hurt during Sunday’s win against the Cowboys, would be eligible to return to the active roster if the Bills advance to the divisional playoff round, missing the minimum four games.’