Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills have officially ruled out defensive end A.J. Epenesa and safety Micah Hyde for their Week 15 contest against the Dallas Cowboys at Highmark Stadium.
Epenesa left last Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a rib injury, returned briefly, but then re-injured it and did not return again.
Hyde also left Sunday's game with a neck/stinger injury, an ailment that has continued to pester him this season.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Injured Reserve is a possibility for both players, but more likely for Hyde. The team will still gather information before making that determination.
Two players are listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report for the game, but neither are on the active roster.
Cornerback Kaiir Elam (ankle) and wide receiver Justin Shorter (hamstring) had their 21-day practice windows open recently while they remain on Injured Reserve. Both practiced this week, but it is uncertain, at this time, whether they will be activated to the active roster come Saturday at 4 p.m. EST.
If the Bills want either player to play, they’d have to not just add them to the active roster, but also make a corresponding roster move to clear the spot.
Meanwhile, rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid (thumb//shoulder) and cornerback Taron Johnson (ankle) have no injury designation for Sunday's game, despite practicing all week in a limited capacity.
For the Cowboys, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (ankle/knee) has been ruled out, while four players are considered questionable.
Sunday's kickoff in Orchard Park is set for 4:25 p.m. EST.
