A growing number of Buffalo Bills players, including safety Damar Hamlin, backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, and receivers Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, are sidelined going into the regular season.

Coach Sean McDermott stated on Monday that each of the four players is evaluated on a week-to-week basis. Though he voiced concern that some players might be in danger, McDermott did not name which players would miss the season opening against Arizona on September 8.

Both Samuel’s and Hamlin’s injuries occurred last week; Samuel is out with a turf toe ailment and Hamlin is out with a hamstring strain. Valdes-Scantling (neck) and Trubisky (knee) sustained injuries on Saturday during the Bears’ 9-3 preseason victory over Pittsburgh.

The four-time defending AFC East winners, who already have to start numerous new players because of a salary cap-related makeover, are affected by these injuries to key players. With 43 new players and only 11 from the 2020 campaign, Buffalo started training camp.

The fact that starting linebacker Matt Milano tore his left bicep during practice last week means he will likely miss the opening couple months of the season, which adds to the difficulties.

Because McDermott is so worried about the injuries, he has chosen to cut practice time this week and rest all of his expected starters for the Bills’ preseason finale against Carolina on Saturday.

It’s a hurdle, but McDermott was confident they could overcome it. “We need to focus on finding solutions right now.”

After the Bills lost No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis to free agency and moved their top receiver, Stefon Diggs, to Houston, they added experienced free agents Samuel and Valdes-Scantling to bolster Buffalo’s receiving group.

Chase Claypool was also a part of this group; he was released last week after reaching an injury settlement after missing the most of training camp due to a toe injury.

As the Bills wrap up training camp before the preseason finale, new leaders are emerging.

WKBW, Buffalo, New York We’re now at training camp, and with so many new players joining this Buffalo Bills defense, new leaders are starting to emerge to take the place of those who are leaving.

Bobby Babich, the first-year defensive coordinator, would rather not get into specifics about those men.

“I’m not going to mention any names but there are a couple of guys emerging,” Babich remarked. “I don’t wish to hold any players to any standards. I want things to develop naturally and let the cards fall where they may.”

To be fair to Babich, though, it seems a little premature to start selecting players during training camp before allowing everyone a chance. However, other men immediately spring to mind as seasoned leaders, such as Taron Johnson.

“I feel it’s extremely important for us to keep having that chemistry and I see guys stepping up all across the board,” Johnson stated. “It’s definitely going to take a little bit more time but we definitely have those guys in our rooms.”

The fact that safeties Mike Edwards and Cole Bishop were both present at practice today was encouraging, as we observed on Wednesday. Bishop was still wearing a red non-contact jersey, while Edwards was wearing his regular practice shirt.

Both Mike Edwards and Cole Bishop taking reps today. Good sign to see Edwards back

Here’s a quick look at Bishop showing some extension during this drill #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/Zx1l8Big3W

— Dom Tibbetts (@DomTibbettsTV) August 21, 2024

Next up, there will be one more practice/camp day on Thursday before a Friday off and Saturday’s preseason finale versus the Carolina Panthers.