On Saturday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills made several important roster moves ahead of their crucial playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, which is set to take place the following day. As required by the NFL, the team elevated two players from their practice squad to the active roster for the game. This decision came just one day before the Bills were scheduled to play the Ravens in the final divisional round matchup of the season. The move also signals the team’s preparation and final adjustments as they look to advance further in the postseason.
The two players selected for elevation were wide receiver Jalen Virgil and offensive lineman Will Clapp. Virgil, who provides depth to the receiving corps, and Clapp, an offensive lineman, will now be available for the high-stakes divisional round contest. However, one notable aspect of the roster adjustments was the absence of running back Frank Gore Jr., who is the only running back currently on the practice squad. This absence from the elevation list has led to some speculation, particularly regarding the status of rookie running back Ray Davis.
Davis, who has been an essential part of Buffalo’s backfield rotation throughout the season, sustained a concussion during the Bills’ wild card victory over the Denver Broncos the previous week. He took a significant hit to the head during the game and was immediately placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Given Davis’ crucial role in Buffalo’s offensive scheme—he has contributed three rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns during the regular season—his availability for the upcoming playoff game became a key concern for the team.
By Wednesday of this week, Davis had made notable progress in his recovery and was able to participate in practice, albeit in a limited capacity. This was a positive sign for both the player and the team, as it suggested that Davis was on track to potentially clear the protocol in time for the game. Throughout the week, Davis continued to advance through the NFL’s concussion protocol, which was implemented in 2011 and revised most recently in October 2022. These protocols include a series of assessments designed to ensure that players are fully recovered from a concussion before returning to play, with the goal of minimizing the risk of further injury.
On Thursday and Friday, Davis was seen wearing a red non-contact jersey as he participated in individual drills. He worked on his usual skill set, including practicing with his teammates on special teams. While his involvement in practice remained limited, these activities indicated that Davis was continuing his recovery and was, at the very least, progressing through the protocol. Despite being designated as “questionable” for the game as the weekend approached, Davis’ continued participation in team activities suggested that there was still a possibility of him being cleared to play.
The NFL’s concussion protocol has specific rules that allow for players to undergo evaluations through simulated activities if there are no full practices remaining before the game. This provision is designed to allow players who may not be able to fully participate in practice to still undergo necessary evaluations and assessments in a controlled, low-impact setting. Given that the Bills had already completed their full practice sessions earlier in the week, it is possible that they utilized this rule on Saturday morning. In doing so, they may have been able to further evaluate Davis’ condition without the need for an additional full practice session.
The fact that the Bills opted not to elevate Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad further suggests that Davis might have successfully cleared the concussion protocol. While Gore’s exclusion from the roster move does not guarantee that Davis will play, it is a strong indication that the Bills are confident in Davis’ recovery and that he may be ready to take the field against the Ravens. The team’s decision to elevate other players, including Virgil and Clapp, rather than Gore, aligns with the idea that Davis’ potential availability could ease the need for further depth at the running back position.
Throughout the week, there was optimism surrounding Davis’ recovery, but his status remained uncertain as the weekend approached. The uncertainty of concussion recoveries can often be difficult to predict, and teams must err on the side of caution when it comes to player safety. Still, Davis’ progression through the protocol and the team’s decision to elevate other players suggests that the Bills are hopeful he will be cleared to play, potentially contributing to their game plan in the high-pressure divisional round.
As the weekend progressed, the Bills’ coaching staff and medical team likely continued to monitor Davis closely, working to ensure that he was in the best possible condition to take the field if he was cleared. His contributions to the offense, both as a rusher and a receiver, make him a valuable asset for Buffalo, particularly in the postseason when every play counts. The Bills are surely hoping that Davis will be able to return to action and continue his impressive rookie campaign, helping the team in their pursuit of a Super Bowl appearance.
In conclusion, the Buffalo Bills made strategic roster moves on Saturday, elevating two players from the practice squad ahead of their playoff matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. The decision not to elevate Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad suggests that Ray Davis, who sustained a concussion in the previous week’s wild card game, may have cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol. Despite being limited in practice throughout the week, Davis showed signs of recovery, and the team likely utilized the league’s concussion protocol rules to assess him further. While his status for the game remains uncertain, the team remains hopeful that he will be cleared to play, providing an important boost to Buffalo’s backfield in their divisional round clash.
