Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins remains hopeful he can play Monday night against Minnesota despite a rib injury that kept him out of practice Thursday and Friday.
Dawkins injured his ribs near the end of the first quarter against Baltimore on Nov. 1 and finished the game, according to a report published by the Bills on Friday. With one practice remaining Saturday, his availability for the Vikings game was still uncertain.
“I’ve been winning my battles off the field to try my best to be available on Monday,” Dawkins said.
The potential absence comes as Buffalo prepares for a defense that, according to the team report, leads the NFL in pressure rate under coordinator Brian Flores. That pressure places additional demands on the offensive line’s communication and identification of defenders.
Buffalo’s options have changed
The Bills have managed without Dawkins before. He last missed a game in Week 13 of last season against Pittsburgh because of a concussion. Before that, he had not missed a game since December 2022. The five-time Pro Bowl selection said he has missed only two games during his 10 years in the league.
Buffalo ran 51 times for 249 yards against the Steelers last season while missing both Dawkins and right tackle Spencer Brown. Ryan Van Demark and Alec Anderson filled in at tackle that night.
That combination is unavailable now. Van Demark is with Minnesota, and Anderson, Buffalo’s starting left guard, missed Thursday and Friday practices with an ankle injury.
Tylan Grable could move to left tackle if Dawkins cannot play. Veteran Austin Corbett, who competed for the left guard job during training camp, is another option if Anderson is unavailable. Those possibilities had not been announced as lineup decisions in Friday’s report.
Brown returns to practice
Brown returned to practice this week after missing the Baltimore game with a back injury. He said Thursday that he was feeling good.
Grable filled in for Brown against the Ravens and also stepped in when Brown briefly left the Rams game because of an injury. Brown praised Grable’s execution in both situations.
Saturday’s final practice is the next opportunity for Dawkins to return to the field before Monday’s game.
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