Bills Activating Two Impact Players off IR for Divisional Round
The Bills made some important moves just a day before playing the top-seeded Denver Broncos in the playoffs. Just after 4 p.m. EST on Friday, the Bills announced that they activated Curtis Samuel and Ed Oliver from injured reserve. With the activation, the Bills should expect both of them to play in the Divisional Round. The perpetually banged-up Bills will certainly feel better by having these two back in the lineup. Below, we’ll take a look at how Oliver and Samuel will impact the team going into Empower Field at Mile High.
Oliver’s Lengthy Injury History Has Cut Into Playing Time
Oliver always makes an impact on the field when he’s on it. Unfortunately for 2019’s ninth-overall pick, he’s had some trouble staying on the field. Since 2022, Oliver has missed at least one game every season due to injuries. This season was no different, as he missed an even larger portion of games. After a masterful game against the Ravens, forcing a fumble on Derrick Henry with barely more than three minutes left in regulation, paving the way for the offense to cut the eight-point deficit down to two, and then kicking the game-winning field goal in their final drive. However, getting off to a hot start didn’t last, as he suffered an ankle injury in practice and was sidelined for the next five games. His return was short-lived as well, playing against the Falcons and Panthers before suffering a bicep tear, which caused the Bills to place him on IR.
Samuel’s Struggles Accentuated by Contract
While Samuel doesn’t have quite the extensive injury history as Oliver, he still has his own problems from Buffalo’s perspective. After being seen as a key free agent signing in 2024, he’s had issues breaking out in the offense. The first season after the Stefon Diggs trade had a lot of question marks before the season. However, Samuel was the premier acquisition after two seasons of being the number two wide receiver in Washington. His three-year, $24 million contract has yet to be a positive investment for Buffalo, with the 29-year-old wide receiver consistently losing his snap share to other receivers.
How Both Players Could See an Impact on Saturday
It’s a surprise that the Bills have gotten through the season with a middling run defense with all the missed games from defensive tackles this year. Before the regular season started, Larry Ogunjobi got suspended, and DeWayne Carter tore his Achilles. Then, during the regular season, DaQuan Jones and T.J. Sanders missed time, and even Jordan Phillips, who primarily served as a practice squad elevation, got put on IR. Getting their star DT back during their path to the Super Bowl is great, just to have one extra X factor on an already rock-solid defense. In terms of Samuel, he may finally get his time to shine with the current state of the wide receiver room. Before it was announced that Samuel would be activated from IR, the Bills had three healthy wide receivers. Now with Samuel potentially being active, Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks, and Keon Coleman will get some time to rest with Samuel’s versatility to play both in the slot and outside.
