1. Allen in concussion protocol; Matt Barkley ready to go if needed
It was largely expected to be the case, but head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that quarterback Josh Allen is in concussion protocol heading into the week of preparation for their Week 5 road tilt at Tennessee.
"Josh and Dean Marlowe are in the concussion protocol," said McDermott. "That's where they are."
Coaches are prohibited from discussing details of the case of players in the protocol. Both players left the game early and headed to the locker room for a full examination following their head injuries.
Every case is different and there are no timetables on players making their way through the five-step return to participation protocol.
That leaves Buffalo's coaching staff in a position where they need to prepare for Sunday's game against the Titans under the assumption that Matt Barkley could be starting at quarterback this weekend.
"Until we know more (about Josh) that's what we have to do," said McDermott. "We have to make sure that Matt is ready to go."
The Bills may also need to consider adding an additional quarterback to the roster if Allen is unavailable. They do have quarterback Davis Webb on their practice squad, who could be elevated to the active roster if necessary.
"Davis is here for that reason," said McDermott. "We feel good about him as well, but we'll just take it a day at a time."
2. Devin Singletary close to return
Going into last Sunday's game running back Devin Singletary was listed as questionable after he was able to practice on a limited basis last Thursday and Friday. Ultimately, he was inactive for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
But coach McDermott gave indication that Singletary, who has now missed three games with his hamstring injury, was close to returning to game action last weekend.
"He was close," said McDermott. "It was close and going down to the wire, so we'll see this week as we move forward and take it one day at a time."
If Singletary is a full participant in practice Wednesday or Thursday it figures to be another sign that he's making the right progress to return to Buffalo's lineup.
The rookie hasn't suited up since Week 2.
3. Defensive continuity vastly ahead of the offense
In Sunday's game there were a lost of missteps by the offense. Burning timeouts when plays could not get executed in time, ill-advised throws that went for turnovers, pre-snap penalties and the inability to capitalize on some prime scoring opportunities.
By no means does coach McDermott excuse the shortcomings, but there is a logical explanation for the uneven play of the offense through the first month of the season.
"When you look at our defense and our offense there are different levels of continuity," said McDermott. "The defense is a year and a half in when it comes to continuity, and the offense has eight or nine new players just in the starting lineup."
Buffalo's head coach is confident that the offense will improve their level of consistency when it comes to execution as they get more games under their belt, learn to play off one another and continue to develop their identity.
