As the Buffalo Bills gear up for the NFL playoffs, head coach Sean McDermott is doing everything he can to keep the team in top form, both mentally and physically.
While the team’s recent loss to the New England Patriots in Week 18 might have caused some concerns, McDermott‘s main focus remains on his players’ health and preparedness for the postseason.
With the playoffs on the horizon, the Bills are looking to make a strong run, and McDermott is ensuring his squad stays positive and healthy.
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When asked about the team’s health heading into the playoffs, McDermott was quick to respond – with a dose of superstition.
He joked about knocking on wood to avoid jinxing the situation, acknowledging that injuries sometimes crop up unexpectedly after a game.
“I’ll knock on wood because sometimes things show up the next day. I feel like [we did]. Let me just knock on wood to make sure. I’ll know a little more tomorrow,” McDermott said.
Despite this superstition, McDermott reiterated his optimism about the team’s health.
“It’s good,” he added. “You want to be as healthy as you can going into the playoffs and as strong as you can be.”
Injury updates
In the week leading up to the Week 18 game against the Patriots, McDermott had to deal with a few injury concerns, including linebacker Terrel Bernard, who was dealing with a quad injury and missed some practice time.
However, McDermott was confident that Bernard would be ready for the upcoming wild-card game, which was a promising sign for the team’s depth. In addition to Bernard, other players such as Damar Hamlin (rib injury), Cam Lewis (shoulder), and Curtis Samuel (rib injury) had limited practices, but they’re all expected to be available for playoff action.
Even Taylor Rapp, who had been recovering from a neck injury, is back in action, adding more strength to the defense.
McDermott‘s focus on keeping the team as healthy as possible is clear. He’s taking no chances and making sure his players are prepared to perform at their best as the stakes get higher with every playoff game.
