Buffalo Bills cornerback, Dorian Strong
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Buffalo Bills cornerback, Dorian Strong
Buffalo Bills cornerback Dorian Strong got off to a torrid start to his career, starting in Week 1 this year and helping spark a comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens.
But Strong now faces an uncertain future for this season — and potentially his career — after suffering a neck injury and being placed on injured reserve. Bills head coach Sean McDermott gave a worrying update on Strong this week, saying the injury has not progressed the way the team hoped and that he had some private conversations with Strong about the injury.
Dorian Strong ‘Not Good’ After Injury Update
McDermott did not give many specific details on Strong, but told reporters on Monday that the rookie cornerback’s outlook was “not good” and added that he would not say more out of respect for the player.
“I do have some more clarity, it’s not good in terms of the reports and everything,” said McDermott. “I don’t want to get into where it may go. It’s not moving in the direction we would like it to at this point. I’ll stop there just out of respect for Dorian.”
Strong had appeared in four games this season with one start. He made 10 total tackles and showed some promise in coverage, slowly gaining more playing time after he was pressed into action during the season-opening win over the Ravens. The Bills faced injuries to both Tre’Davious White and fellow rookie Maxwell Hairston to start the season, prompting them to turn to Strong over veteran Dane Jackson or JaMarcus Ingram.
McDermott also found places for Strong to play in the next three games, sometimes benching White for a drive in order to get Strong into the game.
That came to an end when he suffered a neck injury against the New Orleans Saints, prompting the team to place him on injured reserve in Week 5.
Bills Find Another Standout Rookie for the Secondary
While Strong’s future remains uncertain, the Bills have turned to another rookie cornerback to help lead their secondary. Hairston returned to action in a Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers, his first action since suffering a knee injury in training camp and starting the season on injured reserve.
Hairston performed well in the team’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, locking down speedy wide receiver Xavier Worthy and intercepting a pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
McDermott said he was proud of the poise the team’s first-round pick showed against one of the league’s best passing offenses.
“You’ve got to think, this is only his second game in the NFL,”
“You’ve got to think, this is only his second game in the NFL,” said Head Coach Sean McDermott on the rookie’s big moment. “Pretty big introduction into the NFL, this type of game. So, really proud of him.”
“Pretty big introduction into the NFL, this type of game. So, really proud of him.”
Hairston was excited after the game, saying he trusted himself.
“I got my first interception on Pat Mahomes,” Hairston said. “Just trusting what I see, being at the right spot, doing my 1/11th, and the ball found me.”