Buffalo Bills Tackle Misses Second Straight Practice

The Buffalo Bills face the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football this week in a pivotal AFC East clash, and they could be without one of their key players on offense. Starting left tackle Dion Dawkins missed his second straight practice with an ankle injury, jeopardizing his availability for Week 13.

Tuesday injury report pic.twitter.com/C9sL3kH6hU
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) November 29, 2022

Dawkins played only 32 offensive snaps in the Bills' 28-25 Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions. He had played every offensive snap of every game this season prior to his exit with the notable exception of a 38-3 blowout of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5.

A Pro Bowler in 2021, Dawkins absence could loom large against the Patriots' elite defense on a short week. They've allowed the sixth-fewest points in the league and the fourth-fewest points, and edge rusher Matt Judon leads the league with 13.0 sacks. Lucky for the Bills, their offense has played well enough against the Patriots of late to afford a margin of error; they've outscored the Patriots 80-38 in their previous two matchups.

Dawkins initially joined the Bills as their 63rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He immediately installed himself as a stalwart on their offensive line, notching 85 starts in 91 appearances over his first six seasons. The Bills signed him to a four-year, $58.3 million extension in 2020, tying him to the team through the 2026 season.