The Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills closed out their injury reporting this week with contrasting pictures on offense and defense, as both teams look to settle their rosters ahead of kickoff. While the Raiders have multiple players ruled out, including a promising tight end returning from injured reserve, the Bills enter with a longer list of questionable tags that could shape their game-day rotation, particularly at wide receiver and along the defensive line.
Raiders Dealing With Three Confirmed Absences
Las Vegas will be without defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway, who did not practice all week as he continues working through the concussion protocol. Tight end Carter Runyon, who returned to practice from injured reserve, remains limited and has been ruled out, suggesting the team is still managing his foot injury conservatively rather than rushing him back into game action. Wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr., also activated off IR for practice purposes, was a full participant in every session but has nonetheless been listed as out, a reminder that full practice reps don't always translate to game clearance for players working back from longer-term injuries.
There is better news elsewhere on the roster. Tight end Brock Bowers progressed from limited to full participation across the week and carries no game designation, as does running back Ashton Jeanty, who was a full go in every session on his surgically managed foot. Guard Trey Zuhn III is the lone Raider with a questionable tag, having been limited throughout the week with a knee issue. Edge rusher Malcolm Koonce's addition to Friday's report as a full participant is a notable development for a Las Vegas pass rush that has needed reinforcements.
Bills' Receiving Corps Under the Microscope
Buffalo's situation looks murkier heading into the weekend, with three wide receivers carrying uncertain status. DJ Moore did not practice Wednesday or Thursday before being limited on Friday, a trajectory that typically points to a game-time decision for a player managing a shoulder injury. Joshua Palmer was limited in all three sessions, while Keon Coleman, despite logging an ankle injury on the report, was a full participant throughout the week and carries no designation - a positive sign for an offense that leans on its receiving options to stretch opposing secondaries.
On the defensive side, Ed Oliver's absence from the first two practices before a limited Friday session puts his availability in question for a Bills defensive line that has otherwise stayed largely healthy. Cornerback Dee Alford and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders round out Buffalo's questionable list, both having been limited participants for much of the week before Sanders upgraded to full on Friday.
What It Means Going Into the Weekend
For the Raiders, the health of Bowers and Jeanty represents a meaningful boost, giving the offense two of its most dynamic weapons at full strength even as depth pieces like Runyon and Thornton remain sidelined. Buffalo, meanwhile, will likely have to wait until closer to kickoff to know exactly what it has available at receiver, with Moore's status in particular worth monitoring given his role in the passing game. Both teams head into the matchup having largely avoided major new injuries during the week, with practice reports trending toward full participation as the game approaches - a pattern coaching staffs generally view as encouraging regardless of the specific player designations still on the books.
