Yates concussion leaves Bills with one healthy QBAs it turns out the Bills lost not only one quarterback in Saturday night's game against the Ravens, but two. The morning after the 13-9 loss to the Ravens, T.J. Yates joined starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor in the concussion protocol.
"Well it's concerning. It is concerning," said head coach Sean McDermott. "Anytime guys are injured it's concerning. That said they're in the protocol and I really can't go any further as far as those two are concerned. But we're hopeful at this point that everything works out."
With Taylor and Yates both unable to participate in practice it left the Bills with rookie Nate Peterman as the only healthy quarterback for Sunday's practice.
McDermott admitted that he and GM Brandon Beane have already had preliminary discussions about the type of quarterback to add to the roster, knowing there's a strong possibility that Peterman might still be the only healthy quarterback on the roster in four days time when they host the Detroit Lions for their last preseason game.
"We're talking about it. We haven't come to a decision at this point in time," McDermott said. "We're running the gamut of the different style of quarterbacks out there. Who has been in the system? Who hasn't? Younger? Older? We're still going through that process right now."
While it was readily evident that Taylor suffered his concussion when his head whipped backward into the turf on a sack during the team's second offensive series, McDermott said they're not sure exactly when Yates sustained his concussion.
"I don't know for sure exactly what play, but he took some licks later in the game trying to win the game at the end," McDermott said. "I thought he was very courageous with his effort down the stretch from him and the offense."
What is certain is there will need to be additions made to the most important offensive role on the roster with two weeks before the season opener.
"The quarterback position this week will be an interesting one," McDermott said. "We'll obviously have to go in with more than one quarterback so we're going through that right now and we'll see how it works out."
McDermott to talk to DareusWith a short turnaround traveling back to Buffalo late last night, film review in the morning and practice preparation for the afternoon practice session, McDermott did not have time to address Marcell Dareus one-on-one about being sent home for violation of a team rule. But he fully intends to sit down with the defensive tackle.
"Really no (conversations) with him at this point," McDermott said. "We will, but at this point no further conversations. Really we're moving forward. That's where I stand on it. We're moving forward and looking forward to get back out on the practice field and getting better."
Dareus however, did not practice Sunday due to a hip injury that he suffered in practice this past week.
The discipline that McDermott enacted Saturday in sending Dareus back to Buffalo prior to the Ravens game was what he felt was best for the football team.
"Everyone needs to know what's expected and everyone is accountable, myself included," he said. "I'm not looking to send a message other than do the right thing."
McDermott said when he first addressed his team he wiped the slate clean for players on the roster. He acknowledged the past, but didn't want to dwell on it. Buffalo's head coach wouldn't divulge whether this was Dareus' violation Saturday was his first run afoul of the process, but McDermott is hopeful that Dareus takes his discipline in stride.
"I'm not as interested in what went on in the past as where we're going in the future and I still believe that. We just need to continue to learn and my hope is he'll continue to learn from last night's situation and we'll move forward."
Starting jobs still openRight guard is among the starting jobs that are still up for grabs according to McDermott. Vladimir Ducasse started Saturday's game at the position, but John Miller also rotated in regularly. In terms of playing time, Ducasse got 43 snaps to Miller's 34.
"We're going to continue to look. That's one of the positions we're going to continue to evaluate at this point in time," said McDermott. "Again getting back late last night and then practice (Sunday), you're forced to get some (other) things done before practice."
Right cornerback is also likely to be a starting job that's still open. Shareece Wright got 25 reps, most of which came with the first team defense. E.J. Gaines got 34 snaps and played into the second half. Kevon Seymour however, did not play due to a shoulder injury and did not practice Sunday.
