Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills will be without one of their key defensive pieces in the lineup on Sunday when they take on the high-powered Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium.
According to Bills head coach Sean McDermott during his weekly appearance on the "Extra Point Show" on Friday, safety Jordan Poyer will not play, as he continues to battle, what has been considered as knee soreness at practice all week.
The 32-year-old has been battling a number of injuries over the last two seasons, and is set to miss his first game of the 2023 season come Sunday. He was limited to just 12 games last year, while fellow safety Micah Hyde missed all but two games in 2022 due to a neck injury.
In his three games played this season, Poyer has contributed 14 total tackles, but has been relatively quiet otherwise on the stat sheet. However, it will be his veteran presence in the Buffalo secondary that will be missed come Sunday against the Dolphins.
According to the team's official injury report, Poyer is the only player with an official injury designation heading into this weekend's contest.
The absence of Poyer likely means that Taylor Rapp will make his first start with the Bills alongside Hyde at safety. Rapp was a free agent signing of the Bills this past March.
This could also open the door for safety Damar Hamlin to be dressed and active for the first time in a regular season game since going into cardiac arrest during a Week 17 matchup with the Bengals last season in Cincinnati. Hamlin was cleared to return to full football activities back in April, and played in all three preseason games for the Bills.
Buffalo also has 2022 first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam available to be active this coming Sunday. In three games against the Dolphins last year, including the 2022 AFC Wild Card Round matchup, Elam has registered nine total tackles, a tackle for loss, three passes defended and an interception.
As for the Dolphins, they will be without pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, who's been declared out with an oblique injury. Meanwhile, center Connor Williams (groin) and left tackle Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee) are both listed as questionable.
In addition, the Dolphins announced they've placed wide receiver River Cracraft on Injured Reserve and wide receiver Erik Ezukanma on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.
Kickoff on Sunday is slated for 1 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium, and can be heard on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
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