Keon Coleman’s Future, Bills Linebackers’ Struggles in Texans Matchup
The Buffalo Bills faced a quick turnaround after their impressive win, preparing for a crucial Week 12 matchup against the Houston Texans. This Thursday night game will be essential for the Bills as they aim to apply pressure on AFC East leaders, the New England Patriots. Currently, the Bills are trailing by one-and-a-half games, with only seven games left in the season.
Keon Coleman: Future Uncertain
Wide receiver Keon Coleman’s future with the Bills remains uncertain. After a late arrival to a team meeting, Coleman was a healthy scratch in the last game, marking the third time this season he has faced a team-imposed suspension. This situation arises amidst a lack of production from him throughout the season.
Head coach Sean McDermott spoke cautiously about Coleman’s standing with the team. “It’s one day at a time, earning the trust and respect of teammates, and that takes time,” McDermott stated. The Bills are not abandoning Coleman but are observing how he responds to this setback. With several injuries among wide receivers, including Mecole Hardman, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir, Coleman may find himself back in the mix sooner rather than later.
Wide Receiver Situation
- Mecole Hardman: Calf injury, did not practice.
- Curtis Samuel: Dealing with elbow and neck injuries, missed practice time.
- Khalil Shakir: Missed practices due to personal reasons.
This injury situation could force the team to utilize Coleman again, although his recent benching might reduce his playing time from the nearly 71 percent of snaps he was previously seeing. Coleman may find more opportunities in the slot, depending on how the situation unfolds.
Bills Linebackers Struggle Continues
While the passing offense showed signs of life in their recent game, the Bills’ rushing defense remains a concern. The team has struggled significantly at the linebacker position, which has hindered their ability to contain the run effectively.
Coach McDermott has held discussions with key defensive personnel, emphasizing the need for improvement. Terrel Bernard, a team captain, has seen a decline in performance since returning from injury. Meanwhile, Matt Milano, dealing with a pectoral issue, hasn’t played up to his previous standards.
Potential Changes and Future Strategy
With linebacker Shaq Thompson recovering from a hamstring injury, the Bills may explore changing their starting lineup. Bernard’s leadership is invaluable, but if performance issues persist, a shift might be necessary. Thompson’s versatility provides the staff with options for adjusting the lineup as needed.
Upcoming Matchup Against Houston
The Bills are set to face the Texans, who will be without their starting quarterback C.J. Stroud. This presents a unique opportunity for the Bills’ defense to rebound after their struggles. The Texans have wrestled with offensive consistency, making this a potential get-right game for Buffalo’s defense.
Overall, the Bills need to ensure their linebackers step up in this critical matchup. Both the flexibility in the receiver position and improvements in linebacker play will significantly impact their performance on Thursday night.
