Bills survive minor Ed Oliver injury scare, pull Josh Allen early vs. Bears

The Buffalo Bills played most of their starters against the Chicago Bears in Preseason Game No. 1 and avoided disaster.

Ralph Ventre | Aug 10, 2024

Sep 17, 2023; Orchard Park, NY; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) and defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) pressure Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

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It can be considered a victory in the sense that the Buffalo Bills came out relatively unscathed on the injury front.

The Bills started the first-team offense in their preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, and no one was injured. In what seemed like an overly-cautious move, head coach Sean McDermott pulled quarterback Josh Allen out mid-possession one snap after he scrambled for a first down.

Totaling eight snaps, Allen went 2-of-3 passing for 22 yards and recorded one seven-yard run before giving way to Mitch Trubisky, who proceeded to steer the drive into the red zone as the Bills cashed in on a 24-yard field goal from Tyler Bass.

While defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and linebacker Matt Milano didn't dress, the majority of first-teamers started the game on defense.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver went down briefly after the first play from scrimmage. As Bears running back D'Andre Swift plowed forward for a three-yard gain, Oliver's knee was apparently banged up in the process. He quickly got up on his feet and walked off the field seemingly unimpeded.

After a short stay in the blue medical tent, Oliver was ruled ready to return but never reentered the exhibition contest.

Chicago's rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall draft pick, made a few splash plays against the Bills defense sans Oliver, Jones and Milano, but settled for two field goals.

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