Josh Allen won't take part in Buffalo's preseason opener on Saturday.
Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters Thursday that Allen will be among several starters sitting out on Saturday versus the Colts. McDermott added that decisions on other starters playing will be made on an individual basis.
As usual, not many NFL preseason games will feature star quarterbacks, but there's plenty of position battles to be had for the Bills offense, including veteran QBs Case Keenum and Matt Barkley aiming to become Allen's immediate backup and the team sorting out its deep running back rotation. Ken Dorsey, the Bills' newest offensive coordinator, will also debut as a play-caller following the offseason exit of Brian Daboll.
In injury news for the Bills, McDermott said safety Jordan Poyer (elbow) is "trending in a good direction" while veteran wideout Tavon Austin is set to miss his fourth straight practice on Thursday. McDermott added that Austin's status for Saturday is in limbo. Linebacker Tyrel Dodson (muscle soreness) was ruled out by McDermott for the preseason opener.
The Bills host the Colts on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.
INJURIES
- WR Tylan Wallace exited Thursday's preseason game versus the Titans with a knee injury, and is questionable to return.
- WR James Proche is likely to miss one to two weeks with a soft-tissue injury, head coach John Harbaugh said Thursday.
- Placed DE Jacob Tuioti-Mariner on injured reserve.
- WR N'Keal Harry is expected to miss around eight weeks after undergoing tightrope surgery on Thursday morning, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported, per a source. Harry suffered a high-ankle sprain on Aug. 7.
- WR David Moore "will be out for a bit" with a lower leg injury, coach Matt Eberflus said Thursday.
- CBs Ronald Darby (chest) and K'Waun Williams (knee) will not participate in Thursday's joint practice with the Cowboys, NFL Network's James Palmer reported.
- RB Melvin Gordon (foot) is not practicing for the second straight day, but the injury isn't considered serious, according to Palmer.
- RB Tyreik McAllister placed on injured reserve.
- WR Osirus Mitchell placed on injured reserve.
- DE Jeremiah Ledbetter placed on injured reserve.
- DE Frank Clark missed Thursday's workout due to an illness, per Andy Reid.
- QB Kirk Cousins was not at Thursday's walkthrough because he was not feeling well, HC Kevin O'Connell told reporters. O'Connell added that it was unclear if Cousins would play in Sunday's preseason opener.
- DB Bryce Thompson placed on injured reserve.
- OG Shane Lemieux (toe) left the Giants' preseason game in the first quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Lemieux was later seen in a walking boot.
- OL Jamil Douglas (ankle) has been ruled out of the rest of Thursday's game.
- CB Cordale Flott (groin) has been ruled out of the remainder of Thursday's game.
- WR Kadarius Toney, who's been dealing with an apparent leg injury, did not make the trip for the Giants' preseason game on Thursday night. Head coach Brian Daboll did not go into specifics regarding Toney's injury after the game and only said, "I hope so," when asked if he expected him on the field this coming week.
- DB Leon O'Neal placed on injured reserve.
- RB Rashaad Penny has a minor groin injury but coach Pete Carroll has yet to rule him out for Saturday's preseason opener.
- DB Chris Jackson is out of the Titans' preseason opener with a knee injury.
ROSTER MOVES
- Signed TE Ryan Izzo.
- Signed TE Nate Becker.
- Waived/injured WR Andrew Parchment.
- Waived/injured CB Devin Jones.
- Waived/injured LB Christian Albright.
- Waived/injured DB Reggie Robinson.
- Signed RB B.J. Emmons.
- Signed DT Auzoyah Alufohai.
- TE Adam Shaheen returned to the Dolphins after he failed his physical with the Texans, which canceled the this week's trade, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported.
- Signed QB K.J. Costello.
- Signed DB Brian Allen.
- Signed DB Jack Koerner.
- Released DT Jaleel Johnson.
- Signing OT Duane Brown to a two-year contract, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports.
- Signed RB DeAndre Torrey.
- Waived injured WR Keric Wheatfall.
- Signed WR Christian Blake.
- Waived/injured LB Ulysees Gilbert.
- Waived/injured WR Javon McKinley.
- Claimed LB Hamilcar Rashed off waivers.
PRESEASON PARTICIPATION
- QB Davis Mills will play in the Texans' preseason opener versus the Saints, head coach Lovie Smith announced Thursday. Rookie DB Derek Stingley Jr. will not be playing in the opener, Smith said.
- QB Patrick Mahomes is set to see some preseason action this Saturday in Chicago, coach Andy Reid told reporters Thursday. Reid said he'd like all four rostered QBs to play one quarter apiece.
- QB Mac Jones is among most starters who will not play in Thursday night's preseason opener versus the Giants, per NFL Network's Mike Giardi.
- QB Mitch Trubisky was named the starter for the team's preseason opener on Saturday versus the Seahawks, coach Mike Tomlin announced Thursday. Mason Rudolph and rookie Kenny Pickett will also play amid the team's three-way QB competition.
- WR Curtis Samuel will be among all starters set to play in Saturday's preseason opener versus the Panthers, coach Ron Rivera said. Rivera added that the starters will play between 15-20 snaps.
RETIREMENTS
- RB James White announced his retirement from football on Thursday after eight seasons in the NFL, all of which were spent in New England.
NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and prime-time regular-season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand and more! Wherever you are, this is how you football! Learn more about NFL+.
