Bills Prepare for AFC East Showdown Against Dolphins Amid Key Injuries
Following their Week 1 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, which required a dramatic comeback, the Buffalo Bills are swiftly moving on to Week 2. With only two full days to prepare, the Bills head to Miami on Wednesday for an important AFC East matchup against the 1-0 Dolphins on Thursday night. This early-season contest could set the tone for Buffalo, especially as they face a challenging schedule over the next five weeks.
Here’s what has stood out so far in Orchard Park and some key points to watch as the Bills take on the Dolphins.
Josh Allen’s Left Hand Injury: No Major Concern
Fans were momentarily alarmed when star quarterback Josh Allen was seen getting his left hand taped on the sidelines during Sunday’s game. Even though it’s his non-throwing hand, any injury to the franchise quarterback can cause anxiety. However, Allen did not miss a snap, had X-rays after the game, and was quickly cleared to fully participate in practice ahead of Thursday night’s contest.
On Tuesday, Allen was seen with a glove covering the taped hand during practice, with his middle and ring fingers taped together. While the injury warranted attention, there have been no signs that it will impact his play. Allen himself shrugged off the injury in a press conference, not yet deciding if he’ll wear the glove during the game. There might be some hesitation in how he tucks the ball to run or protects himself during scrambles, but the Bills are treating the injury as a non-issue moving forward.
Taron Johnson’s Injury: A Bigger Concern
The Bills entered 2024 hoping for stability from their defensive stalwarts. Unfortunately, they’ve already lost key players, including linebacker Matt Milano to a torn bicep, and now nickel corner Taron Johnson, who sustained a forearm injury just seven defensive snaps into Week 1.
Johnson has already been ruled out for the game against Miami, but his long-term status remains uncertain. Head coach Sean McDermott mentioned that injured reserve (IR) is still on the table, as the team continues to evaluate Johnson’s injury. Should they place Johnson on IR, he would have to miss at least four games, and the Bills might make that decision before Thursday to maximize his recovery time.
Johnson’s injury occurred when he was tackling Cardinals receiver Greg Dortch, with Bills safety Taylor Rapp’s helmet making contact with Johnson’s forearm during the play. If the team moves Johnson to IR, offensive lineman Will Clapp, who was elevated from the practice squad for the season opener, is a likely candidate to fill the active roster spot.
Key Game for a Grueling Schedule Ahead
With a tough slate of games looming, the Bills will be looking to solidify their footing early in the season, starting with the Dolphins. This AFC East showdown could set the tone for the rest of the campaign, especially as the team grapples with key injuries on defense. How the Bills handle both the Dolphins’ high-powered offense and their own lineup changes will be crucial for their momentum as the season progresses.
Thursday night’s game will be a major test for Buffalo, and a win could provide a strong foundation as they navigate a difficult stretch of games in the coming weeks.
Just ahead of their first regular season game, the Buffalo Bills secured their starting right tackle, Spencer Brown, for the long term. The team signed Brown to a four-year contract extension, running through the 2028 season. Brown, 26, was set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, but the Bills moved swiftly to keep him in Buffalo. According to league sources, the new deal is worth $72 million in total, with an average annual value of $18 million per season—making Brown’s extension the eighth-highest annual value for right tackles in the NFL.
Key Details of the Deal
The extension includes a $6.4 million signing bonus and a $16 million option bonus payable in 2025. Additionally, Brown is set to receive a $7.1 million roster bonus in 2026. While some might argue that the price tag is steep for a player with one standout season, the Bills have consistently expressed confidence in Brown’s talent and potential.
Had Brown hit free agency in 2024 after another strong season, there was a good chance he would have commanded even more money on the open market at just 27 years old. Whether Brown can live up to this new contract remains to be seen, but the Bills are banking on his continued development.
The most interesting aspect of the deal lies in the structure of the contract. It’s effectively a three-year commitment from the Bills through 2026. The $16 million option bonus, while technically an “option,” is guaranteed at signing, making it financially impractical for the Bills to walk away. The base salary for 2026 also triggers in 2025, meaning the Bills are essentially locked into the deal for the next three seasons. Brown’s cap hits over the life of the contract are as follows: $2.59 million in 2024, $8.21 million in 2025, $19.48 million in 2026, $19.98 million in 2027, and $22.13 million in 2028, with a void year in 2029 carrying a $3.2 million cap charge.
Beware of the Dolphins’ Screen Game
As the Bills head into their Week 2 matchup with the Miami Dolphins, one area of concern is defending against the screen game. Buffalo has struggled with screens dating back to the preseason, and the Dolphins are likely to test them on Thursday night. Miami boasts a talented offensive line capable of creating space for their playmakers, including running back De’Von Achane, who has breakaway speed. If Achane is unavailable, Raheem Mostert and rookie Jaylen Wright could still cause problems for Buffalo’s defense.
The Bills’ linebackers, particularly Dorian Williams, and safety Taylor Rapp will need to stay disciplined and avoid getting caught out of position. Expect the Dolphins to rely heavily on screens to exploit any weaknesses in Buffalo’s defense.
Lessons from the Jaguars’ Game Plan
The Jacksonville Jaguars nearly upset the Dolphins in Week 1, thanks in large part to their defensive strategy. The Jaguars limited Miami’s explosive offense by forcing quick throws from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tua’s average time to throw was 2.63 seconds, much quicker than the 3.30 seconds the Bills allowed against Arizona’s Kyler Murray.
Jacksonville also blitzed heavily—at a 20.5% rate—and played a significant amount of zone defense (78.1%). This approach could serve as a template for the Bills, who will need to contain Miami’s speed while not over-committing to the pass rush. The Bills’ defense will also need to be disciplined in handling the Dolphins’ pre-snap motion, which is designed to confuse defenses and create mismatches.
Projected Call-Ups and Inactives
Given the Bills’ injuries, particularly to nickel corner Taron Johnson, they will likely make some roster adjustments before Thursday’s game. Offensive lineman Will Clapp and defensive end Kingsley Jonathan are expected to be called up to the active roster. Meanwhile, offensive linemen Ryan Van Demark and Sedrick Van-Pran Granger, along with defensive ends Dawuane Smoot and Javon Solomon, are among the players projected to be inactive.
Prediction: Dolphins 30, Bills 28
Both the Bills and Dolphins have explosive offenses, but each team has defensive vulnerabilities that could lead to a high-scoring affair. Without Taron Johnson, Buffalo’s defense will be particularly tested in the secondary, especially against Miami’s speedy receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The Bills’ offense, led by quarterback Josh Allen, will keep the game close, but ultimately, the Dolphins’ speed and home-field advantage give them the edge. Expect a shootout, but Miami gets the win in a tightly contested battle.
(Top photo of Taron Johnson: Rich Barnes / Getty Images)
