AJ McCarron exited the game Friday night after the first quarter concluded. The plan all along was for Josh Allen to take over in the second quarter as Buffalo's quarterback rotation continues. But late in the game it was announced that McCarron had sustained a right shoulder injury and would not have been fit to return to the game. Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed the injury but didn't have any further details in his postgame press conference.
"All I really know right now is that he hurt his right shoulder," said McDermott. "We'll get some more tests done when we get back to Buffalo."
It's unclear when McCarron sustained the injury, but he was under duress from Cleveland's pass rush during his time in the game. On a 3rd-and-9, McCarron was sacked by Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi, but came back for two more series of work, attempting three passes over that span of play.
If McCarron's injury forces him to miss any time it would obviously give both Nate Peterman and rookie Josh Allen the opportunity to get more reps going forward. Of course, injury is not the way any quarterback wants to get more reps in practice or in a game.
"Whatever happened tonight with AJ it's some tough circumstances because anybody that knows AJ knows he's a great dude," said Allen. "I'm hurting for him. I sent him a text. You hate to see it happen, but I know there are a lot of things to improve on in my game and I'm going to continue to do that."
Allen and Peterman both "did some good things," according to McDermott.
"I thought Josh came in and moved the ball. He was productive," said McDermott. "Three scoring drives I believe and then Nate did some good things as well. In particular down the stretch. I thought he made the guys around him better, which was good to see."
McDermott isn't scheduled to address the media until Sunday afternoon.
*No details on Williams injury *Early in the second quarter, Williams went down behind a play in Buffalo territory and remained on all fours for more than a minute. Athletic trainers came out to check on him and when they turned him over the team physician examined Williams' right knee.
"He's got a little bit of a knee injury. We'll know more (this weekend)," said McDermott.
Eventually Williams got to his feet and slowly walked off the field and eventually to the locker room ending his night.
"I was really concerned about that because he's the heart and soul of this team," said Shaq Lawson. "I pray that he's alright. When he went down it was kind of scary."
Buffalo was already short at the defensive tackle position. Defensive tackles John Hughes (groin) and Marquavius Lewis (ankle) were given injury settlements to allow the team to sign healthy two healthy defensive tackles in Tyrunn Walker and Albert Havili.
The prognosis on Williams' injury will determine whether another roster move must be made.
