ORCHARD PARK — The Buffalo Bills receiving corps is spending more time in the training room than catching passes this week.
Of the five receivers on the active roster, four appeared on the injury report Thursday, with Khalil Shakir — a few weeks removed from an ankle injury — being the outlier. Amari Cooper (wrist), Mack Hollins (shoulder) and Curtis Samuel (pectoral) were limited, while rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) did not practice.
Hollins and Samuel wore red non-contact jerseys, but both have been nursing injuries for a while and played last week. But the last update from coach Sean McDermott on Coleman, who injured his wrist on a hit by Jordan Poyer late in Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins, was not wearing a cast or brace while he worked with trainers during practice, ranged from the potential to play this week to the possibility of missing multiple games.
Cooper, meanwhile, injured his wrist while blocking against the Seattle Seahawks and missed last week’s game. He’s been limited in each practice since and now has a hard cast on his left wrist.
The five-time Pro Bowler made five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown in two games since being acquired from the Cleveland Browns. He told the Gazette Thursday that his biggest challenge was catching the ball with the cast, not lack of strength in gripping the ball.
“Anytime you get hurt, you know, there’s obviously some pain there,” Cooper said. “So I guess the pain threshold will be the best answer for (the odds of playing against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday).”
If Cooper does play, he feels comfortable with the playbook after three weeks with the team. But the Bills made the trade to bolster a receiver group that struggled to create separation through the first six games.
Playing without Coleman, who has 22 receptions for 417 yards and a team-high three touchdowns, and Cooper would be a big blow for the Buffalo offense. But when the Bills do get Cooper back, both he and quarterback Josh Allen feel he will be ready to contribute immediately.
“Since Day One when he stepped in the building, he was ready to go and he’s only continued to learn the playbook and learn his role in this offense,” Allen said. “Whether we get him back this week or the next or whenever that case is, I know he’s going to be ready to go. It’ll be kind of plug and play and feel pretty seamless out there.”
Cornerback Kaiir Elam (shoulder) also wore a red non-contact jersey after missing a few plays and returning against the Dolphins and was listed as limited for the second consecutive day. Fullback Reggie Gilliam (hip) was also limited and did not play against the Dolphins.
Defensive end Casey Toohill was wearing a brace on his left knee, but was a full participant in practice. Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter was working with trainers two weeks removed from wrist surgery and has gone from a full cast to wearing a brace, but is not eligible to return from injured reserve until Week 13.
Meanwhile, offensive tackle Tylan Grable, who has been on injured reserve since suffering an abdominal injury in Week 3, was also working with trainers.
One day after signing veteran defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson and Jordan Phillips, the Bills released rookie defensive tackle Zion Logue, creating an open roster spot. Logue made two tackles in two games.