4 Observations: Bills GM Talks Injuries, ‘Really Cool’ Andreessen Story, Confidence in Bass

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Bills general manager Brandon Beane spoke to the media on Wednesday after the team finalized its 53-player roster and added more than a dozen players to the practice squad.

With the regular season just 11 days away, here are four observations from Beane’s media presence.

Injury update

Beane began his press conference with some good injury news, saying he did not expect any players on the original 53-man roster to be placed on the injured list.

One of the biggest looming injury questions for the Bills entering Week 1 is the status of backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game against Pittsburgh. Beane said it’s “really unknown” whether Trubisky will be a go against the Cardinals, but he’s “cautiously optimistic” that the 30-year-old will avoid going on IR.

The Bills signed former Jets and Dolphins quarterback Mike White to their practice squad on Wednesday, likely to replace Josh Allen in Trubisky’s absence.

Beane said it’s “way too early” to discuss a potential return date for linebacker Matt Milano, who suffered a torn biceps in practice about two weeks ago. Milano had his biceps repaired, Beane said, and has been placed on the injured list. He is eligible to return at some point, but the Bills are “letting Matt do his thing” at this point.

“Ultimately, we haven’t closed the door on the season, but we’re not going to sit here and say we expect him at this point,” Beane said.

Finally, Beane said offensive lineman Travis Clayton, a seventh-round pick this year, will miss the season with a shoulder injury that may require surgery. The Bills GM hopes the Englishman can return next season and help the team.

“How can you not encourage (Andreeseen)?”

Like the rest of the Bills Mafia, Buffalo’s general manager had high praise for undrafted rookie linebacker and Lancaster native Joe Andreessen, whose strong preseason earned him a spot on the Bills’ initial roster.

“Really cool story for Joe,” Beane said. “Every step of the way he checked the box, checked the box, kept himself in the game, kept himself in the game. … Some people are ready for their opportunity and some people aren’t, and I think Joe did everything you could ask him to do.”

The 24-year-old, who finished his college career at UB, had his strongest performance of the preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with 12 total tackles and a flashy showing all night. The chance to start came after the Bills opted to sit out their starters due to inclement weather, but Beane said he thought Andreessen “really stepped up to the test that day.”

“How can you not cheer for him?” Beane said. “There’s a lot of guys we root for that don’t make it, so we still have to make the best decision for the Bills, and so far he’s done what he’s been asked to do and he’s earned the opportunity to make our first 53.”

Bills continue to have confidence in Tyler Bass

Despite some fan concern about kicker Tyler Bass, the Bills still have faith in the 27-year-old, whom they signed to a four-year, $20.4 million contract extension last offseason.

“We’re all human, what have you done for me lately? And at the end of the season, he’d be the first to tell you it wasn’t the way it was supposed to go,” Beane said. “We have confidence in him, his teammates have confidence in him.”

Bass finished the preseason with 6-of-7 field goals, but only one of those made kicks was from further than 40 yards. He missed his final field goal attempt, a 51-yarder, in the third preseason game against Carolina.

“He doesn’t need Twitter or fans to tell him that he knows he’s his own worst critic,” Beane said. “He works like a maniac at his craft, nobody wants it more than him, nobody works harder. … Obviously he’s going to have to go out there and do it.”

Buffalo did not add a kicker to its practice squad prior to the season.

The door isn’t closed yet for Micah Hyde’s return

While safety Micah Hyde is still mulling retirement, a potential return to the Bills at some point this season isn’t out of the question, Beane said.

“Love Micah, and we haven’t closed the door on that yet,” Beane said of Hyde returning to play in Buffalo. “As far as I know, I don’t think Micah has. We stay in touch.”

When asked in May about his future in football, Hyde said, “It’s Bills or retire.”

The Bills’ safety position has been hampered several times during the preseason with injuries to Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards and Damar Hamlin. However, the former two players returned to practice last week and will likely be ready for Week 1.