Bills could be getting two key players back for divisional round

The Buffalo Bills lost wide receiver Gabe Davis and could be playing without safety Jordan Poyer, but they might be getting two crucial pieces back in time for the playoff rematch with the Broncos on Saturday.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver and wide receiver Curtis Samuel will have their 21-day windows for return from injured reserve opened this week, creating the possibility that each could be available for Saturday’s duel at Empower Field at Mile High.

Samuel has been sidelined since November due to neck and elbow injuries. In the 31-7 wild-card throttling absorbed by the Broncos last December, he led the Bills with 68 receiving yards on three catches, including the 55-yard catch-and-run through Denver’s secondary for a fourth-quarter touchdown that put the game out of reach.

He had seven catches for 81 yards this season.

THE BILLS’ RUN DEFENSE HAS CRATERED WITHOUT OLIVER

A seven-year veteran, Oliver suffered a torn biceps in Week 7 against Carolina and hasn’t played since then. Overall, he played in just 109 snaps over three games this season. Oliver also had surgery on his meniscus during his convalescence, Bills coach Sean McDermott said.

Without Oliver for much of the year, Buffalo’s run defense cratered. It fell from 12th to 28th in the NFL against the run, and in EPA per play on rushing-defense plays, Buffalo plunged from 5th to 31st.

While Oliver could return, Buffalo will have to play Saturday without safety Jordan Poyer. McDermott has already ruled the 34-year-old veteran out due to a hamstring injury.

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