Two Bills Starters Questionable for Playoff Showdown with Steelers

Two Buffalo Bills are questionable for Sunday’s Wild Card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced on Friday.

Cornerback Rasul Douglas and linebacker Tyrel Dodson are both questionable, according to the club’s final injury report. Head coach Sean McDermott had already ruled out wide receiver Gabe Davis and safety Taylor Rapp for the game earlier on Friday.

Douglas has been Buffalo’s starting right cornerback, opposite Christian Benford. He suffered a knee injury during the Bills’ Week 18 win over the Miami Dolphins, and promised to play through it.

“I’m going to get through it,” Douglas told the Buffalo News after the game.

But he did not participate at all in practice this week, and that makes it hard to envision him suiting up for a game that could include treacherous on-field conditions.

A seventh-year pro, Douglas came to the Bills from the Green Bay Packers on a deadline-day trade and made an immediate impact on the Buffalo pass defense. He played in nine games and made eight starts with the Bills, and collected four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson makes a tackle in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 20, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Pitt alum and Pittsburgh native Dane Jackson took over for Douglas after his injury. A seventh-round pick in 2020, Jackson has played in 52 games and made 28 starts for the Bills in his career, including six this season.

Dodson’s injury would leave the Bills critically short of depth at linebacker if he’s unable to play. Dodson was also injured against the Dolphins last week, but unlike Douglas, was able to practice this week. Dodson was limited for Wednesday’s walk-through, did not practice on Thursday, and was limited again on Friday.

Rookie Dorian Williams, who first got the job of replacing injured star Matt Milano at linebacker, will likely get back into the starting lineup if Dodson is unable to play. Terrel Bernard is the team’s other starting linebacker in Buffalo’s base 4-2 defense. Former Steelers special teams ace Tyler Matakevich and Baylon Sepctor are the club’s other options.