Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - After a wild Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the final home opener at the current Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills are looking to grab their first win on the road of the 2025 season when they head to New Jersey to take on the New York Jets this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
One of the key pieces to that win on Sunday night was defensive tackle Ed Oliver. While the defense, as a whole, struggled for most of the contest, Oliver finished the game with six total tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble of Ravens running back Derrick Henry late in the fourth quarter to help accelerate Buffalo's comeback.
However, the Bills got some bad news surrounding the former first-round pick in 2019, as an ankle injury will keep him out of Sunday's contest against the Jets.
"[He] got stepped on in practice on Wednesday, unfortunately, and just kind of a thing that happens from time-to-time in practice," said Bills head coach Sean McDermott during his weekly appearance on the "Extra Point Show" on Friday. "From there, we'll see where it goes in the next week, as far as his status goes. But for this game, at least, he'll be out."
The injury may be more concerning when the Bills will also be playing on a short week next week, hosting the Miami Dolphins for a "Thursday Night Football" showdown at Highmark Stadium. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter says Oliver may not be available for Buffalo for multiple weeks.
In Oliver's place, though, McDermott is looking forward to seeing what rookie defensive tackles T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker can do in an elevated role.
"The effort was there, just in terms of the execution and some of the level of detail, and level of standard that we talk about play in and play out," said McDermott of both rookies with Sal Capaccio on WGR. "These guys are young guys, and it's going to take some time for them to get to that level, and get to that level on a consistent basis. They worked hard this week, and looking to improve on that."
The Bills had their struggles in the opening game, despite the win. Due to that, McDermott and the Bills coaching staff attempted to ramp up the intensity at practice this week to work out the kinks.
"I believe it has unfolded as we had hoped," McDermott acknowledged. "Even though you win, that win can cover up some things. So you want to make sure you're digging deep into the body of the work and the conversations that need to be had, and technique things that we need to improve on, fundamentally as well. And that we're moving our team forward, making sure we are emphasizing those areas, those key areas, for ourselves and the players individually and then the team collectively."
Hear more from McDermott's appearance on the "Extra Point Show" in the player below: