Sean McDermott provides updates on critical injuries that could significantly impact the start of the Buffalo Bills regular season

In media availability on Monday, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott provided some crucial updates on numerous injuries on the roster, and some of which have the possibility of impacting the start of the regular season.

In response to the slew of injuries that the roster is dealing with, McDermott made it clear that starters would not be playing in the final preseason game this Saturday.

"You know, initially, the plan was the play the ones this week, but because of the injuries and the lack of availability, we're going to take the ones out and play the other guys, and take a good look at them. it should be a good opportunity for them to put their best foot forward, and for us to have a strong evaluation of that part of the roster," McDermott said.

Let's look at the injury updates to some key position groups that McDermott went into detail on.

We have some clarity, but not much, at the safety position

McDermott started by going into the safety position. According to McDermott, Mike Edwards and Cole Bishop , who are both working through injuries that have sidelined them for multiple weeks, will do walk through and individual drills this week. They're working through it, but there's still no timetable in place for a return to action.

Outside of Edwards and Bishop, McDermott commented on Damar Hamlin , who is also listed as week-to-week with a hamstring injury. At this point, if the three of them are unable to go by Week 1, it could lead to Taylor Rapp (as planned) at strong safety, and Cam Lewis at free safety.

Buffalo could be without Curtis Samuel for the start of the regular season

Of very noteworthy concern is the fact that McDermott provided an update on projected starter Curtis Samuel , who remains in line for a prominent role in the offense when he's healthy. According to McDermott, Samuel is dealing with turf toe, and is considered week-to-week. Turf toe can be a nagging injury, so this isn't nothing.

Samuel was slated to be one of the starting wide receivers as a do-everything weapon that offensive coordinator Joe Brady can deploy all over the field, including on designed runs. If Buffalo is without Samuel for the start of the regular season, it could have major implications on the playbook that Brady has at his disposal.

Backup quarterback is a huge concern

Shane Buechele was placed on season-ending injured reserve last week, and Mitch Trubisky left Saturday's game banged up. Trubisky is apparently dealing with a hamstring injury that will sideline him for "multiple weeks."

McDermott mentioned that he and general manager Brandon Beane, just like a week ago, were going to be quickly working to fill in the depth spots at quarterback , and they did exactly that. This afternoon, the Bills signed quarterback Anthony Brown, who was last on the Las Vegas Raiders roster.

With Josh Allen not slated to start, it will be the duo of Ben DiNucci and Brown who will get reps at quarterback.

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Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp .