Ahead of the Monday Night clash between the Buffalo Bills and the Atlanta Falcons, the Bills are reeling from a triple blow. Three players, as per recent reports, have been ruled out from the franchise quarterback Josh Allen’s squad for the Week 6 clash. However, the repercussions from these moves could extend further into the season.

Safety Damar Hamlin has been placed on the IR because of a pectoral injury. As head coach Sean McDermott noted in a presser, “[Hamlin] had a pec situation come up in practice.” Defensive tackle T.J. Sanders was also reeling from a knee injury from Week 4. But his rehab hasn’t gone as well as the team had hoped, so Sanders was also placed on the IR and is going to have surgery. As the coach further noted:

“We were weighing the options and seeing what one day at a time would do in terms of improving his situation. It didn’t look like it was improving, so we decided to get surgery and put him on IR.”

Buffalo still has a positive outlook on Sanders’ eventual return. But the pectoral injury for Hamlin looks rather serious. Coach McDermott was asked if these injuries were season-ending, and as the coach put it, “Don’t know on either of them, really. … feel a little bit better about TJ. Damar is up in the air at this point.”

Veteran linebacker Matt Milano also finds himself out for the game. Milano was absent from the team drills on Thursday (Oct. 9) and Friday as his pectoral injury showed up again in Week 5 vs. the New England Patriots. With three major playmakers now deemed out, it will be interesting to see how the Bills pivot in Week 6. But while the absence of Hamlin, Sanders and Milano demands a roster shakeup, it’s not all bad news. Buffalo’s injury report also has a silver lining for Josh Allen.

Roster shake-ups for Josh Allen & Co.

With Damar Hamlin out, rookie cornerback Jordan Hancock could find more limelight. If not, the Bills could also look at a practice squad elevation in Jordan Poyer. In place of TJ Sanders, DT Ed Oliver is set to make a return. To add more depth, DT Jordan Phillips could also join from the practice squad.

Coach McDermott certainly sounded excited for Oliver’s return. As the coach noted: “He’s looking good. Coming off of being out for a little bit of time here. So, I think practice has been good for him. And getting him back and knocking some of the rust off there as well. I think he’s getting excited.”

As for filling in for Matt Milano, linebacker Dorian Williams looks poised to make a comeback after being a full participant on Friday. The Bills also have the option to start Shaq Thompson in Milano’s place.

The Bills also face a question around tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) and wide receiver Curtis Samuel (neck/ribs). Kincaid is notably coming off his career-best receiving game in Week 5 (108 yards). If Kincaid can’t suit up, it’s up to Dawson Knox or Jackson Hawes to offer targets for Josh Allen. In place of Samuel, the Bills could go for Elijah Moore if Samuel remains bruised.

The Bills’ four-game win streak was finally broken in Week 5 by the Pats. As they go up against a Falcons squad ready for battle, how they manage their injuries and shape the roster for Week 6. It will determine if that loss was a one-off, or a trouble trend just beginning to unfold. All eyes are now on Mercedes-Benz Stadium to see how the Bills’ road game goes.