The Buffalo Bills could be getting two defensive starters back soon. They'll have to wait at least another week.
Nickel back Taron Johnson (forearm) and linebacker Terrel Bernard (linebacker) will not play when the Bills travel to Baltimore at 8:20 p.m. on Sunday Night Football , Bills coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday.
It'll be the third straight game Johnson misses since going down with a forearm injury on the seventh play of the season. Bernard will be absent for the second game in a row since suffering a pectoral strain in the first quarter in Week 2.
Buffalo opted not to place either player on injured reserve, which would have mandated them to miss at least four games. It means the Bills don't expect the injuries to force Johnson and Bernard out much longer.
McDermott said both players are "trending in the right direction" and he's "confident about their timeline."
The Bills defense hasn't missed a beat. Buffalo has allowed the fourth-fewest points (48) in the AFC and owns the best point differential in the NFL (+64).
Baltimore came out of its first win of the season over the Dallas Cowboys with backup cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis leaving with a hamstring injury and he did not return.
The Ravens had larger concerns on the offensive line to start the week. Three starting offensive linemen − C Tyler Linderbaum, RT Patrick Mekari and LG Andrew Vorhees − did not practice Wednesday. Each of the three linemen played all 63 snaps Sunday.
NFL teams have to submit a report on practice participation on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a Sunday game. There are three levels of practice participation that can be designated: did not participate, limited participation and full participation.
A game status report is due by 4 p.m. Friday for Sunday Night Football.
Here is the Bills vs. Ravens injury report for Week 4:
Buffalo Bills injury update for Sunday Night Football
Terrel Bernard, LB, pectoral
Terrel Bernard suffered a pectoral strain in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Bernard avoided a torn pectoral and season ending injury, Bills coach Sean McDermott initially said Bernard could be out about a month.
McDermott said Tuesday that Bernard will not play against the Ravens.
Status: Out; did not practice Wednesday; limited participant Thursday and Friday
Taron Johnson, CB, forearm
Taron Johnson was injured seven plays into Week 1 while attempting to tackle Cardinals' wide receiver Greg Dortch. Johnson didn't return to the game. He missed Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Sean McDermott didn't give a timetable for the starting nickel back's return but Johnson was not placed on injured reserve, which would have required him to miss four weeks.
McDermott said Tuesday that Johnson will not play against the Ravens.
“Both are improving and they'll do a little bit more this week, but they will not make it back this game," McDermott said Tuesday, referencing Johnson and Bernard.
Status: Out; did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday
Tylan Grable, offensive tackle, groin
Rookie sixth-round pick Tyler Grable suffered a groin/abdominal injury in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars.
McDermott said Grable is "more than likely out for some time."
Status: Out; did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday
Kaiir Elam, CB, neck
Kaiir Elam has three tackles this year on 20 defensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps.
Status: Will play; limited participant Wednesday and Thursday; full participant Friday
Injured reserve
The following Bills players are on injured reserve:
- Travis Clayton, OT
- Matt Milano, LB
- Darrynton Evans, RZB
- Shane Buechele, QB
- Tommy Doyle, OT
Baltimore Ravens injury update for Sunday Night Football
Tyler Linderbaum, C, knee
Status: Questionable; did not practice Wednesday, limited participant Thursday, full participant Friday
Patrick Mekari, OL, neck
Status: Will play; did not practice Wednesday, full participant Thursday and Friday
Andrew Vorhees, OL, ankle
Status: Doubtful; did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday
Michael Pierce, NT, shoulder
Status: Will play; did not practice Wednesday, full participant Thursday and Friday
Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, hamstring
Jalyn Armour-Davis left the game with a hamstring injury against the Cowboys and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Status: Out; did not practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Roquan Smith, LB, ankle
Status: Will play; limited participant Wednesday, full participant Thursday and Friday
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu missed practice due to personal reasons Wednesday, Thursday and Friday leading up to the game against the Cowboys and was inactive in Week 3.
Status: Not in injury report for Week 4
Injured reserve
The following Ravens players are on injured reserve:
- Deion Jennings, LB
- Christian Matthew, CB
- Trayvon Mullen, CB
- Owen Wright, RB
- Arthur Maulet, CB
- Keaton Mitchell, RB
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills vs. Ravens injury update: B Baltimore could be without two starting offensive linemen
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