The luck of the Buffalo Bills keeps getting worse as another wave of injuries hits an already struggling defensive unit ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Buccaneers
18:26 ET, 13 Nov 2025
Terrel Bernard runs onto the field against the Kansas City Chiefs
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The Bills linebackers have faced injury and underproduction
The Buffalo Bills are struggling into Week 11 following an unexpected loss and a subpar start under Sean McDermott's standards compared to last season. Their latest injury report doesn't make their playoff desires any easier before Sunday's matchup against Tampa.
Fourteen players appeared on Buffalo's Wednesday availability sheet ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including a linebacking corps that has struggled badly even when fully intact. Buffalo had fewer than five healthy linebackers available during stretches of last week's loss to Miami. Buffalo was assumed to be looking for new pieces prior to the NFL trade deadline closing.
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Terrel Bernard, Shaq Thompson, and Dorian Williams have all battled through injuries and limited practices. They all returned as full participants on Thursday, after being restricted the previous day. The defense continues to struggle while running back James Cook is on pace to rush toward franchise history.
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Bernard dealt with an ankle issue, Thompson remained limited by a hamstring, and Williams carried a groin concern into the week. All three are trending toward being available, but the Bills have lived that storyline before.
Buffalo's complete injury report, though unofficial until after Friday's practice, lists Christian Benford (groin), Joey Bosa (wrist), Taron Johnson (groin), Cam Lewis (calf), Phidarian Mathis (shoulder), Khalil Shakir (ankle/ribs), and several defensive linemen. Tight end Dalton Kincaid has not participated this week due to a hamstring injury, which could affect the team's offensive strategy.
Terrel Bernard grabs the jersey of Atlanta wide receiver Drake London
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Terrel Bernard's rating ranks among the NFL's least productive LBs
Bernard entered 2024 heralded as one of Buffalo’s ascending defensive leaders and is carrying a 42.1 PFF grade, which is 75th out of 83 qualifying linebackers. His coverage grade sits near the bottom of the league, and his 31 solo tackles and zero sacks underscore a unit that has struggled to finish plays, disrupt quarterbacks, or clamp down on tight ends.
Matt Milano, long considered the heartbeat of the defense, has quietly posted an even lower overall grade at 81st out of 83 linebackers. Coach McDermott is well aware of the unit's shortcomings.
"Overall, we can all do better in some ways," he said on Wednesday. "We've worked through injuries, worked through continuity issues, guys being in and out, and that’s been a challenge.
Matt Milano tackles Drake Maye
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Matt Milano has underperformed this season
"You want to be playing next to the person you worked with in practice, and that hasn’t always been the case. Beyond that, we can all do some things better."
The most notable player in the group is Shaq Thompson, who has twice recovered from significant leg injuries that sidelined him in Carolina for the past two seasons. According to PFF, he is ranked ninth among all linebackers and fourth in coverage.
Thompson has also dealt with a hamstring injury, which has limited him to just six games.
Matt Milano speaks to teammates during the New York Jets game
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Buffalo is facing injuries at linebacker
All of it builds toward Sunday, when the Bills face a 6-3 Tampa Bay team that is fresh off a loss against the Patriots, which resulted in Bucs QB Baker Mayfield chewing out his teammates. Buffalo is coming off a 30–13 loss to the Miami Dolphins after a game that snapped Tua Tagovailoa’s long-standing struggles against the Bills.
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Tagovailoa threw for 173 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while MVP candidate Josh Allen put up 306 yards with two scores and one pick on 28-of-40 passing.