Bills Star Ed Oliver Out of Detroit Clash After Warmup Injury

Huge Blow for Buffalo Defense

The Buffalo Bills suffered a major setback just before kickoff on Thursday night. Standout defensive tackle Ed Oliver injured his hip during pregame warmups. He was a surprise inactive for the game against the Detroit Lions.

This is a massive loss for the Bills defense. Oliver is a centerpiece of the team's pass rush. Last Sunday, he helped Buffalo to a 36-31 victory over the Houston Texans. In that game, he recorded five tackles, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery. He has 30 sacks in his eight seasons with the franchise after being drafted as the ninth overall pick in 2019.

Next Man Up and Detroit's Plan

With Oliver out, the Bills are expected to rely heavily on second year lineman Deone Walker. Walker performed well last week, recording one sack and six tackles. Buffalo is also playing without defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, making their defensive line depth even thinner.

The Lions will look to exploit this situation. Detroit is expected to lean on running back Jahmyr Gibbs, especially since their offensive line is banged up. Gibbs is coming off a strong performance last Sunday, where he rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries during an overtime win against the Saints.

With loud crowd noise expected at the opening of the Bills' new Highmark Stadium, communication will be tough for Detroit. A strong rushing game from Gibbs will be vital for the Lions.