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    • James Cook, Curtis Samuel added
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    James Cook, Curtis Samuel added

    Kathleen William Posted on

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    ORCHARD PARK – There was some good news and some not-so-good news regarding the Buffalo Bills' injury situation on Wednesday afternoon.

    Coach Sean McDermott announced this safety Taylor Rapp has cleared concussion protocol, meaning he has returned to practice and will be eligible to play Monday night when the Bills face the Jets.

    And while McDermott didn't comment specifically, nickel cornerback Taron Johnson appears ready to get back on the field. McDermott said both Johnson and defensive tackle Austin Johnson were limited in practice, but after practice Johnson painted a more definitive picture.

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    “After a week of not playing and again today, I feel good, I feel better, I feel like I'm close to getting going,” Johnson said. “We’re going to take it day by day.”

    Johnson was injured in the first quarter of the first game against Arizona and was never placed on injured reserve, which would have meant he would have missed at least four games. So there was a feeling that he could return within that time frame. Instead, he missed four games.

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    “I knew it was going to be about what we were estimating right now, about four weeks, five weeks,” he said. “So at that point it was just a mistake. It's hard, it's definitely hard (to sit and watch). You want to be out there; I've wanted to be out there for a while. I’m glad I’m on this path.”

    As for the limitations of the broken forearm, he said the issue that delayed his return wasn't so much wrapping up and tackling, but rather the ability to get out of blocks because his arm wasn't strong enough to apply pressure .

    Obviously, Johnson's absence becomes more and more problematic as the games go on and the Bills defense needs him back sooner rather than later.

    As for the not-so-good news: defensive tackle Ed Oliver and wide receivers Khalil Shakir couldn't practice. Oliver injured his hamstring last Thursday and missed the loss to the Texans, while Shakir suffered an ankle injury in the loss to the Ravens and was also out in Houston.

    James Cook and Curtis Samuel added to Bill's injury report

    Additionally running back James Cook and wide receivers Curtis Samuel Both suffered foot/toe injuries in Houston and also missed practice.

    Regarding Cook and Samuel, McDermott said, “We'll see where it goes. We'll know a little more between today and tomorrow.”

    Cook is off to a strong start in his third NFL season. His 432 yards gained from scrimmage ranks him 14th, and his successful rushing rate of 52.9% on first down – meaning he gained at least four yards – ranks him 21st His 11.2 yards per pass reception is second best among running backs.

    He was a big part of the offense early in the season and if he can't play it would be a big loss as the Bills would have to rely on the Ty Johnson/Ray Davis combination.

    And if Cook and the team's most productive receiver, Shakir, are both out – again, it's far too early to tell – the Bills' offense would be struggling against a New York defense that remains one of the best in the NFL. get into big trouble.

    Sal Maiorana has been covering the Buffalo Bills for four decades, including 35 years as a full-time beat writer for the D&C, and he has written numerous books on the team's history. He can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana. https://profile.democratandchronicle.com/newsletters/bills-blast

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    Kathleen William
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