On Friday evening, the Buffalo Bills announced that defensive tackle DeWayne Carter is being placed on the Injured Reserve list due to a wrist injury. This decision follows head coach Sean McDermott’s statement indicating that the rookie requires surgery to address an injury likely sustained during Buffalo’s Week 7 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Earlier that day, McDermott mentioned that the surgery would keep Carter, who has become a vital part of the Bills’ defensive lineup, sidelined for “multiple weeks.” When asked about the possibility of Carter heading to IR, McDermott acknowledged he wasn’t certain at that moment but recognized there was a “good chance.” Just a few hours later, that chance materialized.
Carter, drafted as the 95th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has totaled nine combined tackles—seven of which were solo—in the past four weeks. In the Bills’ Week 6 win over the New York Jets, he recorded a pass deflection by tipping a throw from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The 23-year-old rookie from Duke became an essential part of the Bills’ defensive rotation when fellow defensive tackle Ed Oliver was sidelined with a hamstring injury. However, he will now miss at least the next four games, impacting the team as they face the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Carter will benefit from the Bills having a bye week following his four-game absence, potentially allowing him to return for the Week 13 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Roster move: DT DeWayne Carter has been placed on the Injured Reserve list.
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) October 25, 2024
Now, the Bills must decide whether to elevate someone from the practice squad, sign a player before next week’s trade deadline, or leave the roster spot vacant for two days while preparing to activate edge rusher Von Miller when his suspension concludes on Monday. If they opt to elevate someone temporarily for Sunday’s game in Seattle, options include Eli Ankou and Branson Deen.
Despite Ankou’s previous experience with the Bills, where he participated in five games in 2021, it was rookie Branson Deen who was elevated for their Week 5 game. Deen played nine snaps in the loss to the Houston Texans but did not record any tackles or assists.
Carter had started to demonstrate the promise that led the Bills to select him with their third pick in the NFL Draft—acquired via a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs—and now he will need to regain that momentum upon his return in hopefully five weeks.
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