Bills add LT Dion Dawkins to injury toll, while LB Terrel Bernard nears return

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bills injury report has swelled to now include Pro Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins missing Wednesday's practice with a sore hamstring.

With another key player ailing less than a month into the season, Buffalo began preparations for Sunday's game in Houston without receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle), starting safety Taylor Rapp (concussion protocol) practicing, and reserve defensive tackle Austin Johnson (oblique). And pass rusher Von Miller was not with the team as he begins serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

In an encouraging health development for the Bills, defensive captain Terrel Bernard (pectoral) has returned to practice and is close to returning after missing the past two games, and All-Pro defensive back Taron Johnson (forearm) practiced Wednesday in a non-contact jersey for the first time since getting hurt in the season opener.

The Bills defense is getting healthy. Terrel Bernard and Taron Johnson were both limited in Wednesday but Bernard looks really close to returning. Taron is still in the red non-contact jersey but progress is being made. pic.twitter.com/t1YFmz6sT7

— Josh Reed (@4JoshReed) October 2, 2024

Star quarterback Josh Allen is still wearing a wrap on his non-throwing hand, and coach Sean McDermott said Allen was sore from hits he took in Sunday night's loss at Baltimore.