1. Tough decisions ahead as roster cut deadline approaches
Head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have a week of practices and one preseason game left to evaluate their roster before cuts on Saturday. The Bills are allowed to have up to 90 players and will soon be cut to 53. Heading into his third season as head coach, McDermott wants harder decisions when it comes to roster cuts.
"Going into year three that's what you want," McDermott explained. "You want tougher decisions this time this year than it was last year at this time or the first year at this time. So, if those decisions become tougher than so be it because that's what we want. That's what Brandon [Beane] and I both want and that's a sign that the quality of our roster is improving across the board."
McDermott says the list of injuries has affected the ability to evaluate the entire roster because some players have had limited practice time. Decisions to keep or cut these players will be based off of projections.
2. Injury updates
McDermott provided a list of injury updates on Sunday ahead of game prep for the final preseason game. The list of players held out of practice grew after Friday's physical game against the Lions.
Corner Tre'Davious White is dealing with a quad issue, which will hold him out of practice today. White suffered that injury during the Lions game.
Guard Quinton Spain will be out with his ankle injury. McDermott said they are taking it one day at a time with Spain.
Corner Cam Lewis and center Mitch Morse remain in concussion protocol. Morse will practice today.
A couple players have knee injuries that are keeping them away from the field—tackle De'Ondre Wesley and tight end Kyle Carter.
Running back Senorise Perry is another player dealing with a quad issue. Defensive end Mike Love has a pectoral injury. Tight end Tyler Kroft remains out recovering from his foot injury.
3. McDermott comments on Andrew Luck's retirement
McDermott says he was shocked when he heard the retirement news of Colts' now former quarterback Andrew Luck.
"Shocked," McDermott explained, "and then I thought about the times we played against them. One of the better quarterbacks to have played and certainly can empathize with his situation, not knowing everything about his situation."
Luck is 29-years-old and entered the league in 2012. The Stanford graduate spent his entire career with the Colts. His latest injury to keep him on the sidelines was an ankle issue.
"I think he's been a class act when I've watched him from afar, through the television and off-the-field as well," McDermott said. "Congratulations to Andrew on a great career. Wish I would have seen him play more and longer, but the way he has handled things has been to me first class."
