**Buffalo Bills Face Key Player Absences Ahead of Texans Matchup**

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Buffalo Bills will be without several critical players for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, as announced by head coach Sean McDermott on Friday. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir, defensive tackles Ed Oliver and Austin Johnson, and safety Taylor Rapp have all been ruled out.

Oliver, who sustained a hamstring injury during Thursday's practice, joins Johnson (oblique), Rapp (concussion protocol), and Shakir (ankle) on the injury list. According to McDermott, none of these players have practiced this week. Shakir, who has been the leading receiver for the team through four games with 18 catches from 19 targets, totaling 230 yards and scoring two touchdowns, will be particularly missed. Curtis Samuel is expected to take on a more significant role in Shakir's absence.

"Thankful we have Curtis and a couple of other guys that we move around and everything," McDermott said. "[Shakir's] a very important player to us, very good player and a guy that Josh has a lot of confidence in and rapport built up with, so, we'll miss him, no doubt, but again, another opportunity for somebody to step up."

The team's defensive strategy will also be impacted with Oliver’s undisclosed recovery timeline. The available defensive tackles for the game include starter DaQuan Jones, rookie DeWayne Carter, and Zion Logue, who was recently signed off the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. Additionally, Eli Ankou and Branson Deen are available from the practice squad.

Safety Taylor Rapp’s absence will lead to second-round pick Cole Bishop making his first NFL start alongside Damar Hamlin. Furthermore, linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) and nickel corner Taron Johnson (forearm) have been limited in practice throughout the week and are doubtful for Sunday’s game. Bernard sustained his injury in Week 2, and Johnson has been out since the opening drive of Week 1.

McDermott expressed that Bernard seems to be recovering faster than Johnson, who remained in a noncontact jersey for Friday's practice.

The Bills are looking for strong performances from their backups to fill in the gaps left by these absences as they prepare to face the Texans this Sunday.