The Buffalo Bills’ Week 9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs might have helped the team move a step ahead in the playoffs, but it also caused a big deal for their defensive end Mike Hoecht. Suffering an Achilles tear during the last quarter, the 28-year-old was not only forced to miss the week 10 game, but also added more concerns to the team’s future ahead of the upcoming tight schedule. However, the team’s head coach, Sean McDermott, finally has a reason to be optimistic.

Ahead of their upcoming showdown against the Miami Dolphins, defensive end Mike Hoecht shared a positive update regarding his Achilles surgery. Mentioning how the surgery went, he marked this day as the start of his comeback journey.

“Surgery went well. Huge s/o to Dr. ElAttrache for putting me back together. Best in the business. Thank you to everyone who reached out, road to return starts now, DGBGGBGB,” he wrote on X. 

Michael Hoecht left the field in the fourth quarter of Week 9 while playing for the Buffalo Bills against the Kansas City Chiefs. He hurt his right Achilles tendon during a non-contact play when the ball was snapped on a 3rd-and-17. He lifted his leg and couldn’t put weight on it while the clock pointed at just 14 minutes remaining. He was helped to the bench by trainers and later taken off on crutches and a walking boot.

The team later confirmed the injury is a torn Achilles and that Hoecht will be out for the rest of the season. This happened after he had just returned from a six-game suspension, made his debut in Week 8. The loss of his presence on the defensive line is seen as a big blow for the Bills.

Sean McDermott’s backup plan amid Michael Hoecht’s injury

Coach McDermott’s first move after Hoecht’s season-ending Achilles tear was to elevate internal options rather than look forward to a major trade. The Buffalo Bills promoted Phidarian Mathis from the practice squad to the active roster. Mathis had already appeared in two games this season and recorded three tackles while playing roughly a quarter of the snaps in those games.

However, the limitations behind this move still exist. Mathis is a defensive tackle and lacks the edge-rushing strength that Hoecht backed the team with. The coaching staff is also bringing in other depth pieces. For instance, they worked out former Bills players Kingsley Jonathan and Te’Cory Couch and added them to the practice squad to give the group more options.

Because of Hoecht’s injury and several other defensive line illnesses, McDermott and the front office are keeping an eye on the trade market but opted not to make a notable move at the deadline. They view the existing lineup as capable with the added internal depth and have therefore carry the mindset to rely on what they already have.