The Buffalo Bills ruled out wide receiver Joshua Palmer and listed five players as questionable Saturday for Monday night’s game at Minnesota, leaving uncertainty at both left-side offensive line positions.
Left tackle Dion Dawkins (ribs), left guard Alec Anderson (ankle), defensive back Jordan Hancock (hamstring), defensive lineman Greg Gaines (calf) and wide receiver Tyrell Shavers (knee) are questionable, the team reported in its final Week 9 injury report.
Dawkins could play without practicing
Dawkins missed practice all week, but head coach Joe Brady said the veteran tackle does not necessarily need practice time to be available Monday.
“There’s certain positions that have played enough football that I believe they can go out there and do their job, certain people that can do their job without the practice,” Brady said.
If Dawkins cannot play, Buffalo would likely turn to third-year offensive lineman Tylan Grable at left tackle. Grable filled in at right tackle last week for Spencer Brown, who missed the Week 8 game with a back injury.
Brown practiced throughout this week and has no injury designation for Monday’s game.
Anderson returned to practice Saturday after missing Thursday and Friday. Backup guard Austin Corbett would be in line to start at left guard if Anderson is unavailable.
Palmer out; two players need activation from injured reserve
Palmer did not practice all week after leaving last week’s game with a hamstring injury. Brady said the receiver is not a candidate for injured reserve at this point.
Shavers and Hancock would have to be activated from injured reserve by Monday afternoon to play against the Vikings. Hancock’s 21-day practice window opened this week, and he has been a limited participant. Shavers has been a full participant.
Wide receivers DJ Moore and Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid have no injury designations and are available for Monday night, the team reported.
Wide receiver Khalil Shakir also returned to practice Saturday after missing Friday for an excused personal absence.
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