The Buffalo Bills are elevating wide receiver Andy Isabella and linebacker A.J. Klein from the team’s practice squad for Monday’s game against the Steelers. the team announced.
Klein is a veteran with plenty of experience with the Bills. He played in two games for the team earlier this season, but joined the team in 2020, starting 16 games over the last few seasons for them. Since joining the NFL in 2013, Klein has started 82 games.
Terrel Bernard has played well for the Bills next to Dodson, who is filling in for the injured Matt Milano. If Dodson can not play, Klein will likely see some action along with Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, and maybe even former Steelers linebacker Tyler Matakevich.
Starting wide receiver Gabe Davis is also out with a knee injury, leading to Isabella coming up.
Davis has been dealing with a PCL sprain suffered during Buffalo’s Week 18 win over the Miami Dolphins. He had two targets without a catch before exiting that game. Buffalo’s No. 2 receiver and top deep threat, Davis has 45 catches for 746 yards, seven touchdowns and 16.6 yards per catch average that leads the Bills.
Davis’ big-play ability is a key to the Buffalo offense. He torched the Steelers for 171 yards in their last regular seasons matchup against the Bills in 2022.
“He gets down the field,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said on Thursday. “I still have nightmares about him from last year. So, they do a really good job of accentuating things these guys are good at.”
Khalil Shakir will likely replace him in the starting lineup. Shakir has started 10 games, and played 406 of his 695 snaps in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus. But he also brings a big-play ability to the table. He’s second behind Davis with a 15.7 yards per catch average this season.
Isabella was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and brought great speed to the table for this game. It could be a sign that the Bills would still like to air it out in some capacity, and Isabella gives them the best chance to do that.