The Buffalo Bills snapped a two-game skid in emphatic fashion with a 40-9 rout of the Carolina Panthers. This victory extended their record to 9-0 after a bye under Sean McDermott. However, the win came at a cost: defensive tackle Ed Oliver tore his bicep and exited after suffering the injury. An MRI later confirmed the severity of Oliver’s injury.
Bill-ieve It? Buffalo Faces Test After Ed Oliver’s Indefinite Absence
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported today that Oliver will need surgery and will likely miss the rest of the Bills’ regular-season games.
Tests today confirmed that DT Ed Oliver has a torn biceps that will require surgery and sideline him indefinitely.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2025
While Oliver will likely miss the rest of the regular season, he could return for the playoffs. However, the Bills’ defensive line has been hit hard by injuries, leaving them extremely thin at defensive tackle. In addition to depth issues, the Bills’ defense has struggled to stop the run all season. With that in mind, it is important for the Bills to find an immediate replacement for Oliver and develop a plan to rebuild depth at defensive tackle.
Bills DT Larry Ogunjobi
The easy answer to fill the gap left open by Oliver’s injury is for veteran defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to step in for Oliver. Buffalo signed Ogunjobi during free agency, and similar to Oliver, Ogunjobi is a proven playmaker as a defensive tackle in the NFL. Ogunjobi made his first appearance on the field for the Bills against Carolina after he was able to return to action after serving a six-game suspension for PED use. In addition to his experience, Ogunjobi provides the upside of being healthy and already being on the Bills’ active roster.
Bills DT Deone Walker
The biggest problem for the Bills at defensive tackle is a lack of depth behind Ogunjobi. One player that is expected to step up into a more active role is 2025 draft pick Deone Walker. Walker has played in a limited role this season as Buffalo has looked for answers amid injuries along its defensive line. The downside of Walker is that he is a rookie and is unlikely to match Oliver’s performance for the Bills’ defensive line.
Bills Injured DT T.J. Sanders
Another potential long-term solution to the Bills’ depth issues along their defensive line is 2025 second-round draft pick T.J. Sanders. However, Sanders is unavailable for the active roster until Week 11 because Buffalo put him on injured reserve earlier this season. The Bills still need a short-term fix for their depth issues if they expect Sanders to contribute after his return.
Titans DT Jeffery Simmons
Another direction the Bills could go is to make a trade before the trade deadline to acquire Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Simmons is a three-time Pro Bowler for Tennessee, but there has been speculation that the Titans are looking to move Simmons in an effort to pick up more draft capital. The downside for Buffalo is that acquiring Simmons in a trade will result in a long-term situation about whether or not the Bills will move some of their current defensive lineman to make room for Simmons. In addition, Simmons could affect the Bills’ salary-cap management in 2026.
Free Agent DT Christian Wilkins
To address the Bills’ depth issues at defensive tackle, signing free agent Christian Wilkins could be a bold solution. Wilkins made headlines in 2024 after the Las Vegas Raiders released him despite his 4-year, $110-million contract, following a dispute over rehabilitation for a broken foot. Offering Wilkins a one-year contract would help minimize long-term risk. The Bills should strongly consider this move to strengthen their defensive tackle rotation.
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