Bills Get Worst News Ahead of Critical Steelers Game
The Buffalo Bills will be shorthanded when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a critical game for their playoff hopes — and will see an opponent that is getting healthier.
The Bills have some critical injuries on offense, losing two of their starting offensive lineman. The Steelers will be getting their top player back, with a report on Friday that Aaron Rodgers is set to play for the first time since suffering a broken wrist.
Mike Tomlin Makes Big Announcement on Aaron Rodgers
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Friday that Rodgers was able to return to practice in full after breaking his left wrist.
“He was a full participant today with no designation for the game,” Tomlin told reporters after practice, via ESPN. “So it’s all systems go.”
Rodgers was hurt in the team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and missed last week’s loss, but returns with the team’s playoff hopes fraying. The Steelers lost their lead in the AFC North, but have an opportunity to seize it back after the Baltimore Ravens lost to the Bengals on Thanksgiving night.
Tomlin said Rodgers is growing more comfortable, and the team’s medical staff felt good giving him the OK to play.
“Just more reps certainly, but certainly it’s another week,” Tomlin said. “And so I’m sure there’s more comfort there — not only in him, but in the medical experts.”
The Steelers have more important returns, with wide receiver DK Metcalf and edge rusher Alex Highsmith both expected to play after being limited with injuries.
“It feels great to know I’m back,” Highsmith said. “It’s definitely been frustrating the season regarding injuries, especially last year or two. So it just feels good to be back.”
Bills Shorthanded on Offense
The Bills are trending in the opposite direction. Head coach Sean McDermott said on Friday that both starting tackles — Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown — would be unable to play against the Steelers.
While it’s not clear exactly how the Bills will reconfigure their offensive line, they have a few options. Veterans Ryan Van Demark and Alec Anderson both have extensive experience, filling in during injuries and serving as sixth offensive linemen for run-heavy schemes.
The team also activated the practice window for lineman Tylan Grable, who has been out since training camp.
McDermott said he was still confident in the team’s reserve linemen, calling them gritty and prepared to play.
“We’re going through some of the different options,” McDermott said. “Have a lot of confidence in those guys. Some of the guys are younger, some are a little bit older … What they lack in experience, they’re gonna make up for in grit, toughness and those that are playing alongside of them will help them out as well best they can.”
The game has major implications for Buffalo’s playoff hopes. They can move to greater than a 90% chance of making the playoffs with a win, but would drop to below 70% with a loss. They fell to the No. 7 spot after last week’s loss to the Houston Texans.
Aidan Hutchinson News Surfaces After Crushing Lions Loss to Packers
The Detroit Lions came up short on Thanksgiving Day, dropping a crushing 31–24 to the Green Bay Packers after a festive NFC North showdown at Ford Field. The Packers were in top form and soared on four touchdown passes from
Goff put up 256 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-26 passing, so he had a strong game, but quarterback Jordan Love of the Packers absolutely lit up the stat sheet. Love went 18-of-30 for 234 yards and tossed four touchdown passes,
Williams delivered a breakout performance with 7 catches for 144 yards, a career high, according to ESPN. Meanwhile the Packers got big days from their playmakers: Dontayvion Wicks
So, it was a rough Thanksgiving for the Motor City, and now, the Detroit Lions are looking shaky to make the playoffs. Aside from all the drama going on when it comes to the
Detroit Lions Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson in the News
Hutchinson, of course, went to the University of Michigan. Now, the Wolverines are coming up on their annual rivalry game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, November 29.
College Game Day took to X on Friday, November 28, to announced that Hutchinson will be a guest on their broadcast. “A Michigan icon,” they stated on X. “Aidan Hutchinson will be joining us in Ann Arbor as tomorrow’s guest picker ahead of the game.”
So, Hutchinson will be back with his old team on Saturday to cheer them on against Ohio State. Then, he has to get ready for the Dallas Cowboys game, which is coming up on Thursday, December 4, at Ford Field.
Dan Campbell Reflects on Detroit Lions Loss to Green Bay Packers
After the Lions’ loss to the Packers, Campbell said that he could relate to those in his loyal following who were upset.
“Yes. I know. I know that’s frustrating when you’re a fan watching,” he said. “But, I know how we needed to play against that defensive front. And it was about playing for the last possession. We were going to do that, I was going, defense was going to get the stop, we were going to use our timeouts, get one more shot to go win the game and that’s how we were playing it.”
Campbell added, “I wanted to play it just like that. So, I wanted to keep it in our hands and not turn it into a pin your ears back and start flying up the field with (Packers defensive lineman) Micah Parsons and those guys.”
With the loss still stinging, the Detroit Lions now face a stretch of honest soul-searching before their showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. Campbell’s squad will need to reset fast and reclaim the swagger that’s fueled their rise.
