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Orchard Park, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills edge rusher A.J. Epenesa is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Sunday’s road game against the Miami Dolphins, per coach Sean McDermott. Linebacker Shaq Thompson, who’s been dealing with a hamstring injury, is also set to miss another game. The Bills have dealt with another lengthy injury report this week, and McDermott added on Friday that four players are considered questionable to play against the Dolphins: receiver Josh Palmer (ankle), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, cornerback Taron Johnson (groin), and cornerback Christian Benford. Benford’s injury happened during practice on Wednesday, and McDermott said it’s another soft-tissue injury that’s popped up during the early portion of practice, where the drills are non-contact. McDermott said his sports science team is looking at the uptick in these specific injuries. “We thoroughly vet it. If we knew exactly, it would get stopped in the medical department,” McDermott said. “But it goes beyond that department and scheduling, looking at everything that way. The sports science department is involved in just about 80-90% of scheduling that we lay out there. When it’s happening early in practice, the individual period in particular, there’s no physical contact in those periods. So it’s more soft tissue, which is even more of a head scratcher and concern. What do you do? Do you not practice?” If Benford can’t play on Sunday, it’ll mean rookie first-round pick Max Hairston could make his first NFL start. He’s played in a rotation with Tre’Davious White over the past two games since returning from a knee sprain that’s kept him out since early in training camp. “Just doing his job,” McDermott said. “He understands, or is beginning to understand, what that looks like and the level you have to prepare in order to do one’s job at a high level. Really nothing out of the norm, nothing more than what he’s been doing to this point. And that’s true for all of us, myself, our staff - be accountable for your job and the job description that’s required of you, and do it for those around you.” Jones has missed the past three games after injuring his calf in pregame warmups ahead of the Bills’ game against the Atlanta Falcons. The defensive line has been hit with some injuries, including Ed Oliver going down with a torn bicep against the Panthers two weeks ago. He had successful surgery and is out indefinitely. Oliver seems hopeful that he can return this season, but without the opening-day starters on the inside, the Bills have needed to rely on rookie Deone Walker and veteran Jordan Phillips to hold the line. Buffalo’s offseason free agent signing Larry Ogunjobi returned recently after serving a six-game suspension. With Epenesa sidelined this week, rookie edge rusher Landon Jackson could get the biggest opportunity to play he’s had in a game yet this season. The 22-year-old has been active for just two of the Bills’ eight games and has just 28 defensive snaps under his belt. He said McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich speak with him every day about working while you wait, so he’ll be ready for his chance. “My mental toughness is a lot better than what I thought it was,” Jackson said. “Never really had a time where I was healthy but not able to perform. So just trying to get over that mental hump and get my confidence back to where it once was and be able to go out there and play the way I know I can.” Johnson missed last week’s game after sustaining a groin injury in practice a few days before the Bills played the Chiefs. Backup nickel cornerback Cam Lewis filled in and played well. He’ll start in Johnson’s place if he can’t play. Running back James Cook (ankle) and edge rusher Joey Bosa (wrist) were both held out of practice on Wednesday but returned to practice on Thursday. Both appear set to play this weekend.
