Bacarri Rambo's name didn't appear on a football field on Thursday night. The Buffalo Bills held out their safety, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury. He is one of four members of the team who didn't participate against the Philadelphia Eagles. Included in that group is a wide receiver who is intimately familiar with the opponent, considering that he played for them less than a week ago.
Rambo not drawing first blood
During the preseason opener, Rambo suffered the injury. The hamstring injury left the safety with a week-to-week timeline for a return, so it was always unlikely for him to be back within a week.
Sean McDermott held him out throughout practices this week - the Bills plan to be plenty cautious with their injured players during the preseason since the results on the field hold no actual weight for the year.
This is the safety's second stint with the team. He played for the team in 2014 and 2015, once earning an AFC Player of the Week accolade. He became a free agent after 2015 and signed with a divisional rival, the Miami Dolphins. On July 25, however, he decided to return to Buffalo in free agency. It's unclear if he's going to earn a role on the team, fighting for a roster spot this preseason. If he does make the team, Rambo will either play special teams or serve as a backup safety. Therefore, he needs to return to health and get all the playing time he can.
Others Bills sit out
Rambo had some company on the sideline on Thursday. Wide receiver Jeremy Butler sat out with a concussion. He missed the first game of the preseason with the same injury, jeopardizing his opportunity of making the roster. Tackle Cordy Glenn also sat this one out. He's also week-to-week with a sore left foot.
His place with the Bills is much more secure, however, as he'll be the starting left tackle when he returns to health.
Then, there's Jordan Matthews. He sat out after suffering a sternum fracture the previous weekend. That happened in his first practice with the Bills after coming over in a trade from, of all teams, the Philadelphia Eagles.
It would've made for a great reunion, with Matthews getting the opportunity to prove to his former team that they were wrong to trade him before the season even began. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Guess he'll have to wait until Buffalo competes against Philadelphia during the 2021 Super Bowl, should everything stay on schedule for both of those teams.
