The Buffalo Bills will be without a handful of key contributors on Saturday when they visit the Los Angeles Chargers.
They’re still heavy favorites (11.5 points) against a white-flag-waving Chargers team without star quarterback Justin Herbert. But the defense will not enjoy the services of safety Micah Hyde and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, along with the long-term injuries that have spent a season impacting Buffalo.
The Bills are also expecting to be without defensive end A.J. Epenesa, who is dealing with a rib injury.
When asked about his opportunity to play in Week 16, head coach Sean McDermott was swift, but pessimistic in his response.
“I don’t think so,” he said.
In missing Epenesa, the Bills will be missing perhaps the most consistent big-play threat on the defense. He isn’t setting the pace for sack production but continuously performs in the pivotal moments.
Thus far, he’s posted 6.5 sacks. He has forced a fumble and recovered another. Epenesa also returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown and ended a drive led by Patrick Mahomes with the other. He’s been around the ball seemingly around the clock. Against the turnover-prone Chargers backup Easton Stick, that will be missed.
On Wednesday, Epenesa gave specifics as to what needs to happen before he suits up again.
“Just to get it to stick so it stops popping and moving,” Epenesa said. “Once it sticks, I’ll be able to rotate and do all those things a little bit better to kind of just reduce that pain through there.”
Epenesa is still considered week-to-week. With two divisional matchups on deck after Los Angeles, getting healthy as soon as possible could very well impact Buffalo's playoff aspirations.
The Bills have emerged as legitimate contenders in recent weeks. They’ll need a strong pass rush to continue producing. With Epenesa and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones closing in on a return, Buffalo could find itself even more daunting than their blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys would suggest.
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