Preseason: The Bills Take on The Panthers

The preseason finale is here, meaning there’s just two weeks until it’s officially the 2024 NFL season.

Try not to be concerned, but the Buffalo Bills haven’t scored a touchdown in either of the first two preseason matchups. Could Saturday be the day they find the end zone?

The Bills are set to face the Panthers at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Highmark Stadium, but Buffalo’s starters won’t be on the gridiron as injuries plagued preseason and training camp.

“Initially the plan was to play the ones this week,” said head coach Sean McDermott. “Because of the injuries and lack of availability, we’re going to take the ones out and play the other guys; take a good look at them.”

The following athletes did not participate at all on Thursday and will not be playing Saturday: QB Mitch Trubisky, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, TE Quintin Morris, OL Will Clapp, OL Travis Clayton, LB Baylor Spector, LB Matt Milano, S Damar Hamlin, and S Terrell Burgess.

Valdes-Scantling and Samuel were both signed after Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis parted ways with the team, but a neck injury and turf toe, respectively, have kept them sidelined. However, this doesn’t mean they miss Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals—only Matt Milano can officially be ruled out.

“I feel like (Samuel and Valdes-Scantling), from what I’ve heard so far, have a real good chance of being back,” said McDermott.

An injury to backup quarterback Shane Buechele in the premier preseason game led to the Bills signing Ben DiNucci for relief. After Trubisky left the Steelers game early, Buffalo brought in former Ravens QB Anthony Brown. Brown and DiNucci will spearhead the offense for the Bills against Carolina.

A week without the starters means another game day of watching Joe Andreessen, also known as “Buffalo Joe,” fight for a spot on the final roster. Andreessen went to Lancaster High School and graduated from the University at Buffalo, where the linebacker was a noisemaker for the Bulls. He had a tryout at rookie mini-camp and then earned a spot in training camp.

Given the nickname by Josh Allen, “Buffalo Joe” had a day last week against the Steelers. Andreessen led the team with 12 tackles (two for loss) and was consistently quick attacking plays.

In contrast, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced on Thursday that their starters would play early in the game—including quarterback Bryce Young. It’ll mark Young’s first game under Canales. He emphasized the importance of exposure for his players and seeing “body readiness.”