The Buffalo Bills will be without emerging star Terrel Bernard for their Monday Night Football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but there is hope he could return soon after.
Bernard sustained a strained pectoral during the Bills’ victory over the Miami Dolphins on September 12. ESPN’s Adam Schefter initially projected he could be out for up to a month. However, head coach Sean McDermott provided a more positive update on September 21, indicating that Bernard is likely to avoid injured reserve.
“Don’t know anything else right now,” McDermott said, according to SI.com. “I don’t think so, but I can’t say that with 100% certainty. I feel like we won’t have to go that direction.”
Syracuse.com reporter Matt Parrino characterized McDermott’s update as “encouraging,” even though the coach couldn’t confirm Bernard’s status regarding IR and a minimum absence of four weeks.
Bills Have Already Ruled Terrel Bernard Out
The Bills will be without Terrel Bernard for their matchup against the Jaguars on Monday, as they aim to improve to 3-0 and take an early lead in the AFC East. Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed earlier in the week that both Bernard and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson will miss the game.
Bernard secured the middle linebacker position following Tremaine Edmunds’ departure before the 2023 season. He started all 17 games last year, recording 143 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and three interceptions.
This week, the Bills faced a lengthy injury report, with defensive ends Dawuane Smoot, Javon Solomon, and Casey Toohill listed as limited participants. Although there were injuries on the offensive side, all players participated fully in practice, including quarterbacks Josh Allen and Mitch Trubisky, as well as running back Ty Johnson and tight end Quintin Morris.
The team experienced a significant injury setback before the season, losing linebacker Matt Milano to a torn pectoral during training camp. Milano subsequently missed most of the 2023 season due to a leg fracture.
On a positive note for the Bills, Jaguars tight end Evan Engram has also been ruled out for Monday night’s game, providing a slight advantage on defense.
Bills Turn to Little-Used Linebacker
With Bernard sidelined, McDermott indicated that the team is ready to start reserve linebacker Baylon Spector. The Bills’ head coach praised Spector’s performance during last week’s victory over the Dolphins.
“[I’ve seen] him being him,” McDermott said, according to SI.com’s Kyle Silagyi. “Nothing really, honestly, that’s any different than what he’s done before. It’s important that he just plays his game, doesn’t try to do too much, and focuses on doing his job like everyone else.”
Baylon Spector needed a play or two adjust after replacing Terrel Bernard as #Bills middle linebacker. He would have preferred a week's worth of reps before jumping in. Now he's getting them ahead of his first regular-season start.https://t.co/JMv6VOHqAn
— Nick Sabato (@NickSabatoGNN) September 19, 2024
Silagyi pointed out that starting in place of Bernard could be a significant challenge for Spector, the 25-year-old linebacker who has primarily played on special teams during his first two seasons with the Bills.
“Replacing a team captain and defensive green dot wearer is a tall task for any player, and the challenge is amplified for a 25-year-old who entered his third professional season with only 55 career defensive snaps,” Silagyi wrote.
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