Bills Curstis Samuel runs with the ball and tries to shake off a Jaguars defensive player during first half action at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Sept. 23, 2024.

Bills rule out WR Curtis Samuel, LB Terrel Bernard vs. Seahawks

The Buffalo Bills have ruled out wide receiver Curtis Samuel, linebacker Terrel Bernard and rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter for Sunday’s road game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Samuel (pectoral) and Bernard (ankle) did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, while Carter (wrist) was limited both days.

“We were trying to see how (Carter) was able to deal with things,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said Friday. “He’s going to end up having to get surgery, so he’s going to be out multiple weeks.”

McDermott said there’s “a good chance” that Carter ends up on injured reserve, but the Bills “don’t know if we’re there yet.”

The coach didn’t think Samuel would be placed on IR. “It may be more than one week,” McDermott said. “We’re just taking it one week at a time.”

The Bills are 5-2, and the Seahawks are 4-3.

Samuel, 28, has played as a reserve in seven games and has 12 receptions on 18 targets for 92 yards in his first season with Buffalo.

He has 329 career receptions for 3,475 yards and 22 touchdowns in 98 games (58 starts) for Carolina (2017-20), Washington (2021-23) and Buffalo. The Panthers selected Samuel in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

Bernard, 25, has played five games (all starts) this season and has 32 tackles, three tackles for loss and one interception. The Bills picked him in the third round of the 2022 draft out of Baylor. He has 197 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

Carter, 23, was a third-round selection in the 2024 draft out of Duke. He has started two of seven games and has nine tackles, including three for loss, and two QB hits.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) reaches for Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Bills LB Terrel Bernard, CB Taron Johnson out vs. Ravens

The Buffalo Bills on Friday ruled out middle linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Taron Johnson for Sunday’s game against the host Baltimore Ravens.

Bernard practiced for the first time Thursday since he sustained a pectoral strain in the Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. He was limited to individual, non-contact drills.

Bernard, 25, was Buffalo’s leading tackler with 143 stops, including 6.5 sacks, in 17 starts last season.

He had 11 tackles in the season-opening win against the Arizona Cardinals and added two against Miami. He has 178 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 35 regular-season games (20 starts) since Buffalo drafted him in the third round in 2022 out of Baylor.

Johnson, 28, has not practiced this week because of a forearm injury. He had one tackle in playing only seven snaps in the 34-28 victory over Arizona in Week 1 and missed the next two games for the Bills (3-0).

The nickel cornerback was an All-Pro second-team selection last season when he made 98 tackles, including one sack, and forced three fumbles in 17 starts.

Johnson has 451 career tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 89 games (68 starts) since 2018.

The Bills selected Johnson in the fourth round of the 2018 draft out of Weber State.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) is carted off the field after an apparent injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Bills’ leading tackler Terrel Bernard (ankle) inactive vs. Chiefs

Buffalo Bills leading tackler Terrel Bernard is one of the team’s inactives for Sunday night’s AFC divisional round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bills listed Bernard (ankle) as questionable on their Friday injury report. He didn’t practice all week.

Bernard was carted off the field with a right ankle injury in the third quarter of Monday’s AFC wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bernard, 24, had 143 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three interceptions in 17 games during the regular season.

Buffalo’s inactives include four players previously ruled out — safety Taylor Rapp (calf), cornerback Christian Benford (knee), linebacker Baylon Spector (back) and receiver Gabe Davis (knee). Also inactive are offensive lineman Alec Anderson and defensive tackle Poona Ford.

Punter Sam Martin, who injured his left hamstring against the Steelers, is active. He was listed as questionable on Friday.

Kansas City’s inactives include four players previously ruled out in receivers Skyy Moore (knee) and Kadarius Toney (hip, ankle), offensive tackle Wanya Morris (concussion) and nose tackle Derrick Nnadi (triceps).

Also inactive for the Chiefs are defensive ends BJ Thompson and Felix Anudike-Uzomah and cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard (25) holds off Philadelphia Eagles free safety Marcus Epps (22) in the third quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs backs: Giovani Bernard in, Leonard Fournette out

The Buccaneers activated Giovani Bernard on Saturday and ruled fellow running back Leonard Fournette out for Sunday’s game at Cleveland.

Tampa Bay designated Bernard to return to practice on Monday. He had been on injured reserve since Sept. 21 after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 2.

Bernard, who turned 31 on Tuesday, had one kickoff return for 14 yards through the first two games this season. He played 11 snaps, all on special teams.

He has rushed for 3,755 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught 365 passes for 2,990 yards and 14 scores in 129 NFL games (30 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals (2013-20) and Tampa Bay.

Rookie running back Rachaad White will make his second straight start when the Buccaneers (5-5) visit the Browns (3-7), with Fournette missing his first game of the season.

Fournette sustained a hip pointer in the second half of the Nov. 13 victory against the Seattle Seahawks in Munich, Germany, but did not make enough progress during Tampa Bay’s bye week to get on the field this weekend.

Fournette, 27, has rushed for 462 yards and three scores in 10 games this season, his third campaign with the Bucs and sixth in the NFL.

White, 23, carried 22 times for a season-high 105 yards against the Seahawks. He has 357 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown in 10 games.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard (25) holds off Philadelphia Eagles free safety Marcus Epps (22) in the third quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs designate RB Giovani Bernard to return from IR

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers designated running back Giovani Bernard to return from injured reserve Monday.

The move opens a 21-day practice window for Bernard to be promoted to the active roster.

He was placed on IR on Sept. 21 after sustaining an ankle injury in the Week 2 win against the New Orleans Saints.

Bernard, who turns 31 on Tuesday, had one kickoff return for 14 yards through the first two games this season. He played 11 snaps, all on special teams.

Bernard has rushed for 3,755 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught 365 passes for 2,990 yards and 14 scores in 129 NFL games (30 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals (2013-20) and Bucs.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Josh Wells (72) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers OT Josh Wells, RB Giovani Bernard land on IR

Offensive tackle Josh Wells and running back Giovani Bernard were placed on injured reserve in a flurry of roster moves executed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday.

Wells was the fill-in starter at left tackle Sunday at New Orleans, replacing injured Donovan Smith (elbow), but exited with a calf injury. Bernard played five special teams snaps and returned one kickoff, but left the game with an ankle injury. They will be eligible to return after missing at least four games.

Wide receiver Kaylon Geiger and inside linebacker Kenny Young were promoted to the active roster from the practice squad.

The Buccaneers signed Cole Beasley to the practice squad and could opt to promote him after the NFL upheld a one-game suspension for fellow wide receiver Mike Evans on Wednesday.

Geiger is most likely to be used on special teams. The undrafted free agent joined Tampa Bay in May and returned three kickoffs at an average of 22.7 yards per attempt.

Young was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 5 after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders. The former fourth-round pick has played in 59 NFL games with 25 starts for the Rams, Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Patrick Laird (32) runs during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs sign RB Patrick Laird

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed running back Patrick Laird on Monday.

Laird, 26, takes the roster spot of RB/returner Kenjon Barner, who was placed on injured reserve Monday. His 2022 season is over.

Laird participated in the Bucs’ practice on Monday.

Running back Giovani Bernard also went down with an ankle injury during Saturday’s preseason game. Bernard did not practice Monday.

Laird spent the past three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, rushing for 244 yards and a touchdown in 37 career games (four starts). He also caught 36 passes for 289 yards.

Barner, 33, appeared in nine games for the Bucs the past two seasons. He returned punts and kicks in 2020 and only appeared as a punt returner in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David (54) celebrates as he sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers activate LB Lavonte David, RB Giovani Bernard from IR

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated standout inside linebacker Lavonte David and running back Giovani Bernard off injured reserve on Saturday, one day before the NFC wild-card game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.

David (foot) missed the final three weeks of the regular season, while Bernard (hip, knee) missed the last four games. The Buccaneers said both players are questionable to play against the Eagles.

David recorded 97 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games this season. He fell just shy of reaching 100 stops for the ninth time in 10 seasons, all with Tampa Bay.

Bernard caught 23 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns and rushed eight times for 58 yards in 12 regular-season contests. Bernard is in his first campaign with the Buccaneers after playing eight seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs with the ball in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs’ Leonard Fournette, Lavonte David return to practice

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated three players off injured reserve Wednesday, including primary running back Leonard Fournette and Pro Bowl linebacker Lavonte David.

Running back Giovani Bernard also returns to practice. The Bucs have 21 days to promote the trio to the active roster. It’s expected that all three will be ready to play in Sunday’s wild-card game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.

Fournette, 26, was placed on IR on Dec. 23 with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 15. He led Tampa in rushing with 812 yards to go with eight touchdowns. He also caught 69 passes for 454 yards and two TDs.

David, 31, was also put on IR on Dec. 23 with a foot injury he sustained in the same Dec. 19 loss to New Orleans. He started all 12 games he played in, racking up 97 tackles, two sacks, three passes defensed and two forced fumbles. David was All-Pro in 2013 and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2015.

Bernard, 30, has been on IR since Dec. 14 after sustaining a hip injury in Week 14 against Buffalo. He has been Tampa’s third-down back, catching 23 passes for 123 yards and three TDs. He’s also rushed eight times for 58 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals RB Bernard (concussion) questionable for Sunday

The Cincinnati Bengals may be shorthanded at the running back position Sunday as starter Giovani Bernard was listed as questionable on Friday due to a concussion.

Bernard did have a full practice Friday. Head coach Zac Taylor seemed confident that the veteran back would be well enough to play Sunday when the Giants take on the New York Giants.

Bernard has been the starter at running back for Cincinnati since Joe Mixon went down with a foot injury on Oct. 18.

This season, Bernard has played in all 10 games for Cincinnati, starting four. He has rushed for 191 yards and two scores for the Bengals (2-7-1).

In a Week 11 loss to the Washington Football Team, Bernard was held to just 18 yards rushing on nine carries in a 20-9 setback.

The concussion was first reported by the team on Wednesday. If Bernard cannot go, the club likely turn to third-string running back Samaje Perine.

Perine has run for just 102 yards on 24 carries this season.

The Bengals also listed cornerback Mackensie Alexander and linebacker Markus Bailey as questionable. Both players have hamstring injuries. Also, receiver Mike Thomas (hamstring) is doubtful.

Taylor has yet to name a starter at the quarterback spot against the Giants, but is reportedly leaning toward starting Brandon Allen over Ryan Finley.

The Bengals will not have the services of regular starting quarterback Joe Burrow, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Washington.

Two of the team’s coaches, defensive line coach Nick Eason and secondary/cornerbacks coach Steve Jackson, will miss the game due to the COVID-19 virus.

— Field Level Media