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Buffalo Bills WR Tyrell Shavers
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers was part of the convoy that pushed quarterback Josh Allen to the game-winning score in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars — and it could be the last play he makes for close to a year.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced on Tuesday that Shavers suffered a torn ACL during the game, but still came back to finish the second half after being injured. Shavers had a key role on the series of plays that ultimately gave the Bills the lead and sent them through to the divisional round.
Tyrell Shavers Made Key Play
Trailing the Jaguars by four points with close to a minute remaining in the game, the Bills faced a 4th-and-inches from just inside the 10-yard line. The Bills lined up in quarterback sneak formation, with Shavers in to engage Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II on a block.
Quarterback Josh Allen broke through for a first down, then pushed forward all the way to the goal line. The Bills scored on the next play, taking a 27-24 lead that would hold up when they intercepted Trevor Lawrence on the next play from scrimmage.
After it was revealed that Shavers played the second half with a torn ACL, many shared praise for his blocking on the pair of plays that led to the go-ahead score.
McDermott said it was “amazing” that Shavers was able to come back with what the team later learned was a season-ending injury.
“Shavers, as we talked yesterday, was going through some more tests,” McDermott said, via SI.com. “Turns out he has a torn ACL, so he will be out for the season. Tough loss, certainly praying for him. And just amazing what he was able to do, to come back in the game and play the way that he did.”
Shavers played in 22 of the team’s 34 snaps in the second half.
Bills Left Shorthanded at Wide Receiver
The Bills had already announced that veteran receiver Gabe Davis was lost with a season-ending ACL tear, suffered earlier in the game. They must now find replacements for both receivers, which could be especially challenging given the role that Shavers played on special teams.
Shavers was on the practice squad last season and went into training camp fighting for a roster spot, but impressed the team with his receiving skills and versatility as a run blocker and special teams gunner. He ended the season with 15 receptions for 245 yards and one touchdown.
The Bills could have some potential replacements available. Veteran receiver Mecole Hardman is back on the practice squad after being released earlier in the season, and the team also brought back veteran Kristian Wilkerson to the practice squad. Wilkerson had been on and off the practice squad during the season.
The Bills could also hand a bigger role to Keon Coleman, who was a healthy scratch for four games this season as he dealt with disciplinary issues and inconsistent play. The Bills could also lean more heavily on tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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