Alaina Getzenberg is a staff writer at ESPN, specializing in coverage of the Buffalo Bills and the NFL. She has been with ESPN since 2021, bringing her expertise and knowledge to the field. Prior to joining ESPN, Alaina worked as a beat reporter for the Charlotte Observer and has also worked for CBS Sports and the Dallas Morning News. She holds a degree from the University of California, Berkeley and can be followed on Twitter @agetzenberg.
In the recent game against the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills suffered some significant losses on the defensive side. Cornerback Tre’Davious White, a key player for the team’s defense, was injured and unable to play. This was followed by the loss of linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, who both suffered lower body injuries. In addition, three other defenders were unable to play due to injuries, including defensive end Greg Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford.
Despite these setbacks, the Bills managed to put up a strong fight against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Safety Jordan Poyer praised the performance of Tyrel Dodson, who stepped in for Milano and played exceptionally well. However, the question now arises as to how the Bills will fare for the rest of the season with such a depleted defense. The depth of the team will be put to the test.
Each level of the defense will need players to step up and take on larger roles. The defensive line was particularly thin in the game against the Jaguars, with several key players out. AJ Epenesa had a standout performance, recording two sacks, a strip sack, a fumble recovery, and three batted passes. His performance was crucial in pressuring Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The return of Von Miller from injury will also bolster the pass rush.
Losing DaQuan Jones for an extended period of time would be a significant blow to the defense. He has been a key contributor, particularly in pass rush win rate. Without him, the Bills will rely on Tim Settle, Jordan Phillips, and potentially Kendal Vickers to step up.
At the linebacker position, replacing Matt Milano will be a challenge. Tyrel Dodson and rookie Dorian Williams will be tasked with filling the void left by Milano. Dodson performed well in the game against the Jaguars, making several impact plays. However, Milano’s absence will require the younger players to work alongside veteran middle linebacker Terrel Bernard to make up for the loss. The Bills may also consider adding depth to this position.
With Tre’Davious White out, Christian Benford became the team’s top cornerback. However, he was unable to play due to a shoulder injury. This left Dane Jackson and Kaiir Elam to take on the cornerback duties. Elam, a first-round pick in 2022, had a challenging game, allowing several receptions and a passer rating of 100.7. Jackson also struggled, allowing a touchdown catch and a passer rating of 104.2.
Even when Benford returns, it will be crucial for the young cornerbacks to continue developing in White’s absence. Their growth and improvement will be key to the success of the defense moving forward. Defensive back Ja’Marcus Ingram, who was brought in from the practice squad, also saw some playing time, but only for a limited number of snaps.
Overall, the Bills face significant challenges on the defensive side with multiple key players injured. The depth of the team will be put to the test, and it will be crucial for younger players to step up and fill the void left by the injured starters. The performance of the defense will be closely watched in the coming weeks to see how they adapt and overcome these challenges.
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