The struggling Buffalo Bills defense suffered another setback in their 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Veteran defensive tackle Dawuane Smoot had to exit the game due to a wrist injury, and on Monday, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Smoot would require surgery and be placed on injured reserve. While McDermott expressed hope that Smoot could return later in the season, this injury adds to the growing list of key players the Bills have lost for extended periods this year.
Duane Smoot’s Outlook Uncertain
Smoot has played a key role in the Bills’ defensive line, starting four games and recording 1.5 sacks, 12 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits, while participating in 48% of the team’s defensive snaps. On Monday, McDermott stated that the full extent of Smoot’s injury would only be determined after he undergoes surgery.
“With injuries and surgeries, it’s often uncertain until the doctors get in and assess the full extent of the damage,” McDermott explained.
The Bills have already lost starting linebacker Matt Milano to a torn pectoral muscle during training camp, while linebacker Terrel Bernard and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson have both missed several games due to injuries this season.
Rookie defensive tackle Dewayne Carter was placed on injured reserve following wrist surgery. Carter started two games this season, recording nine total tackles, including four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one pass breakup.
On November 1, McDermott stated that Carter would be sidelined for an extended period.
“He’s going to need surgery, so he’ll be out for multiple weeks,” the Bills head coach said, according to the team’s official website.
Another Setback on Offense
The Bills also suffered an injury on the offensive side during Sunday’s game, as rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman was hurt late in the contest with a wrist injury. Coleman took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer, injuring his right wrist on the play.
Poyer was penalized for unnecessary roughness, granting the Bills an important first down and extending their drive on third down. The Bills then continued their march into Dolphins territory, taking the lead for good when kicker Tyler Bass drilled a franchise-record 61-yard field goal in the final seconds.
Coleman did not return to the game and underwent testing on Monday. McDermott mentioned that the team is still assessing the severity of his injury and whether he will miss additional time.
“I’ll have more information as the week progresses,” McDermott said. “Just hoping for the best, but we’ll see what happens.”
The Bills were already missing newly acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper, who sat out Sunday’s game due to a wrist injury.
With their win on Sunday, the Bills improved to 7-2, gaining an early lead in the AFC East. They are now four games ahead of the second-place New York Jets and could potentially clinch the division by the end of the month.
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