The Buffalo Bills will have to wait until Thursday to learn much about right tackle Spencer Brown’s back. Head coach Joe Brady said Wednesday’s session was a lighter walk-through, so Thursday’s harder practice will be the first real test for Brown before Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders have their own problems up front and at receiver. Defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway is in the concussion protocol and did not practice, and receiver Jalen Nailor sat out again as he works back from a concussion of his own.
The Bills (4-1) visit the Raiders (3-2) at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, October 18, at 4:25 p.m. EDT on CBS. Buffalo has its bye the following week.
Brown’s back and the bye week
Brown left Monday night’s 37-34 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter, holding his back as he walked to the medical tent. He was first listed as questionable and was downgraded to out in the fourth quarter. Tylan Grable replaced him and played the final 48 offensive snaps at right tackle.
Brown has dealt with back trouble before. Brady was asked whether the Bills might simply hold him out and let the bye give him two extra weeks to heal, and he would only say the team would know more after Thursday.
Buffalo’s list was already long
The Bills beat the Rams without four regulars. Receiver DJ Moore (left shoulder, AC joint), defensive tackle Ed Oliver (knee), cornerback Dee Alford (ankle) and receiver Joshua Palmer (shoulder) were all inactive on Monday night. Moore aggravated his shoulder in the Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots, the same game in which Oliver and Alford were hurt. Palmer got hurt in practice the Friday before the Rams game. Edge rusher Landon Jackson (knee) also carried an injury into the week.
Getting even two of them back would help a team that needed overtime to get past the Rams. The rest of the week’s reports will show who is close.
Raiders: Nailor and Hemingway in the protocol
Nailor has not played since he was concussed in the Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 4. He did not practice at all last week and was inactive for the 45-17 loss at New England. Klint Kubiak said Monday that he expected Nailor back at practice this week, and on Wednesday the Raiders said they hoped he would return Thursday with a chance to play Sunday. Sam Warren reported Nailor was not on the field Wednesday.
Hemingway’s absence matters more for the run defense. He is listed as a starting defensive tackle on the Raiders’ unofficial depth chart, next to Adam Butler, with Jonah Laulu and JJ Pegues behind him. Las Vegas has to slow Josh Allen, who came into the week with eight rushing touchdowns.
Bowers limited, Jeanty full
Tight end Brock Bowers was limited after working through a knee injury last week. Running back Ashton Jeanty was a full participant, a day after Kubiak shut down talk of resting him. “He’s playing,” Kubiak said.
Rookie Trey Zuhn III returned to practice as a limited participant after missing the Patriots game with a knee injury. Tight end Carter Runyon was limited in his first practice since the team opened his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. Edge rusher Patrick Johnson, who had a stinger at New England, practiced in full.
Raiders’ Wednesday practice report
- Did not practice: DT Tonka Hemingway (concussion), WR Jalen Nailor (concussion)
- Limited: TE Brock Bowers, DT Folorunso Fatukasi, TE Carter Runyon, OL Trey Zuhn III
- Full: G Spencer Burford, RB Ashton Jeanty, DE Patrick Johnson, LB Segun Olubi, WR Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR Dareke Young
What comes next
Thursday is the key day for both teams. For Buffalo, it is Brown’s first chance to test his back in a full practice. For Las Vegas, Nailor and Hemingway need to clear the concussion protocol before they can be cleared to play. Friday’s reports will carry the game designations.
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