It looks like the Steelers could avoid Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis on Sunday. Davis suffered a PCL sprain against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night and has not practiced in either of the first two practices for Buffalo this week. His teammate, Stefon Diggs, hinted that Davis could miss the team’s wild card matchup.
“I feel like he’s [Davis] staying positive throughout this process. We’re just trying to win for him, so he has something to play for when he comes back,” Diggs said.
That sounds like a player who knows Davis will not be out there. And if he is not out there, it could dramatically affect how the team plays the Bills in the passing game, opting to focus more on other weapons.
Davis torched the Steelers last year in Buffalo, catching three passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. They will see more of Khalil Shakir and Trent Sherfield if he cannot go. Shakir has more of his receptions go for a first down or touchdown than anyone else in the league. Sherfield’s play has been more up-and-down, but he did make a circus touchdown grab against the Dolphins on a deflected pass.
They could lean more on other weapons outside of the receiving corps if Davis, who has played the most snaps out of any of their skill players, cannot go. For example, the uptick for Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox could come. In addition, James Cook and Leonard Fournette could be used more in the passing game. Running back Ty Johnson, the third-down and receiving specialist, has a concussion and could also miss this game.
Davis will be a free agent after the season but has remained with Buffalo since they selected him out of UCF. The 24-year-old receiver is the deep threat of the group, but he is also a key blocker out on the perimeter for a Bills offense that likes to utilize quarterback runs and the screen game. If he is out, it will have a trickle-down effect.
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