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Sean McDermott discloses Bills star DT's unavailability for Week 2 vs. Jets

DT Ed Oliver had his foot stepped on during Wednesday's practice and is now in a walking boot.
Alex Brasky|
Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) celebrates a sack against the New York Jets in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) celebrates a sack against the New York Jets in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

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The Buffalo Bills will be without one of their star players during Sunday’s matchup with the New York Jets.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver will miss the Week 2 AFC East tilt after having his foot stepped on during Wednesday’s practice, per Head Coach Sean McDermott.

"Ed will be out for this game," said McDermott. "It's unfortunate. Things happen and come up through practice. He got stepped on, friendly fire type of deal. It wasn't intentional."

Oliver appeared on Thursday’s injury report with an ankle injury and was later seen inside the team’s indoor practice facility wearing a walking boot and riding a medical scooter.

There was initially some question as to when the injury occurred, as Oliver spoke with the media following Wednesday’s session, but McDermott clarified that the ailment did indeed happen during practice.

The loss of Oliver against the Jets cannot be understated, as he was one of the few bright spots when it came to Buffalo’s Week 1 defensive effort against the Baltimore Ravens. During a thrilling comeback win, Oliver recorded several game-changing plays, including a drive-ending sack and a forced fumble late in the fourth quarter that helped Buffalo seize the improbable victory. He finished the game with six solo tackles, three of which came for a loss, a sack, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble.

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The plan to replace Oliver in the team’s starting lineup alongside DaQuan Jones remains unclear. Rookie defensive tackles T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker played nearly the same number of snaps against the Ravens in Week 1. Buffalo also has three defensive tackles on its practice squad — Jordan Phillips, Zion Logue and Phidarian Mathis.

Ed Oliver
Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) after the second half against the Chicago Bears | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

While Buffalo will be without a defensive stalwart this week, McDermott left the door open for Oliver’s return for Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins.

"I think there's a chance," said McDermott when asked if Oliver would be able to play against Miami. "I don't know what that chance is at this point."

The Bills take on the New York Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium.

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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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