Ahead of their regular season finale on the road against the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills returned to practice on Wednesday.
On Monday, head coach Sean McDermott said that while many of the starters will rest in Sunday's game and that there will still be a mix of some starters and backups that will see the field.
"Number one, we want to win the game. That's goal number one," McDermott said. "Two is making sure we're as fresh as possible coming out of this week and healthy as possible… Stay with our process, being consistent with how we approach each and every week and wanting to see some things out there that we're anxious to see and eager to see and curious to see of how certain players take advantage of the opportunity."
McDermott preemptively ruled out LB Terrel Bernard for Sunday's game with a quad injury. The coach said it's more of a day-to-day type of injury rather than week-to-week.
QB Josh Allen will make the start but will not see much playing time and QB Mitchell Trubisky will play a majority of the game at quarterback. Due to making the start, Allen will also be able to continue his consecutive starts streak that currently sits at 115 games, the longest active streak.
"It's something that means a lot to me, of just making sure that I've been available, playing through things throughout the year and throughout the years," Allen said. "Means a lot to me, so I'm glad I get to get the start."
McDermott emphasized utilizing players that are on the practice squad and that this game will help serve as an evaluation for some of those players that get elevated to play.
"Our practice squad, probably more than any year… has just been really good and really consistent in terms of embracing their role," McDermott said. "So it's what we ask of them is to be very unselfish but also continue to work on their game because you never know when your number is going to get called. And that came up multiple times a season."
Players like WR Tyrell Shavers and LB Joe Andreessen will see more opportunities to play, as they did at the end of the game against the New York Jets.
"Anytime you get live snaps, even last week, we're in there at the end of the game, and there's been a couple times throughout the season, you get fourth quarter snaps, so those are huge," Andreessen said. "Hopefully now it's a little bit more and you put a whole game together."
Shavers, who caught a screen for a 69-yard touchdown against the Jets, will also see more time as the Bills wind down the regular season.
"First and foremost, it's always fun," Shavers said. "It's been a long time coming being able to take advantage of the opportunity. Just a blessing."
Andreessen was also able to reflect on his rookie season and what he has learned. He also mentioned that he was appreciative of the support staff that helped him along the way.
"I think I've learned that the NFL season is very long," Andreessen said. "We have a great support staff here that has helped all the rookies, through that the rookie season. They call it the rookie wall here. And it can be long at times. And you do learn some stuff about you."
Like McDermott, Allen is excited to see some of his teammates that do not typically see much playing time get extended opportunities on Sunday.
"You'll see guys that typically don't get the ball, get the ball a little bit more," Allen said. "But make no mistake about it, we still have guys out there that that are starters for us and that play a lot. Their opportunities are just going to be a little more amplified on this game, but it'll be fun to watch them."
Injury Report
- Full: QB Josh Allen (R Elbow/ R Shoulder), T Spencer Brown, DT DeWayne Carter (Wrist), CB Rasul Douglas (Knee), TE Dalton Kincaid (Knee), P Sam Martin (Back), LB Matt Milano (Biceps/ Groin), TE Quintin Morris (Shoulder/ Groin), DT Jordan Phillips (Back), DE Dawuane Smoot (Wrist), LB Dorian Williams (Elbow)
- Limited: S Damar Hamlin (Rib), DB Cam Lewis (Shoulder), S Taylor Rapp (Neck), WR Curtis Samuel (Rib)
- Did not practice: LB Terrel Bernard (Quad)
