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Buffalo Bills' starter reveals injury update for Week 14 matchup vs. Bengals

The Bills' starting right tackle missed this past week's game against the Steelers, but feels he is on his way to returning this weekend against the Bengals.
Alex Brasky|
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown (79) walks off the field with teammates Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown (79) walks off the field with teammates Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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After missing Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, it appears as if Spencer Brown could be trending toward a quick return to the Buffalo Bills’ starting lineup.

Brown was out against the Steelers due to a shoulder injury sustained the week before, his second game sidelined this season, after also missing a Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints with a calf injury. But based on comments he made to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, the five-year pro has a good chance to play against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14.

RELATED: Bills' starters Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown step closer to possible Week 14 return

Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) and offensive tackle Spencer Brown (79) celebrate a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half at Highmark Stadium. | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Brown updates status

“I’m pretty close, I think,” said Brown on Wednesday via Thad Brown of WROC. “Just taking it day by day. Obviously, today was a walk-thru, so I just got out here and got my feet moving a little bit.”

Brown then disclosed what he would need to see from himself on Thursday to feel confident in his ability to suit up against the Bengals.

“Got practice (on Thursday), that will be a big tell for me, personally,” he added. “Just put myself in the best to play and if I can’t, then (Ryan Van Demark) will be out there doing his thing again.”

After being listed as a limited participant on Wednesday, Brown was once again on the practice field on Thursday, sporting a wrap near his injured right shoulder.

MORE: Josh Allen credits Bills' unsung heroes for 'unbelievable job' vs. Steelers

Better together

The Bills’ offensive line performed exceptionally well in Brown’s and fellow offensive tackle Dion Dawkins’ absences against the Steelers, paving the way for Buffalo ball carriers to record a historic 249 yards rushing while quarterback Josh Allen wasn’t sacked a single time against Pittsburgh’s vaunted pass rush. Still, there is no question that the Bills’ front five is at its best when Brown and Dawkins are in the lineup.

With the bookend duo manning their positions this season, the Bills are the No. 1 team in the league in terms of pass block win rate (73%) and No. 2 in run block win rate (74%), per ESPN. While Van Demark and fellow fill-in Alec Anderson should be celebrated for their efforts against the Steelers, it would be a positive development if both Brown and Dawkins do indeed return vs. the Bengals this coming Sunday afternoon.

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Alex Brasky
ALEX BRASKY

Alex Brasky is editor of Bills Digest and host of the Buffalo Pregame podcast. He has been on the Bills beat the past six seasons and now joins Sports Illustrated hoping to expand his coverage of Buffalo’s favorite football team.

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