Bills LB Terrel Bernard sidelined by pectoral injury

Field Level Media|published: Fri 13th September, 16:12 2024

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) reaches for Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Buffalo Bills starting linebacker Terrel Bernard is out indefinitely with a pectoral muscle injury.

An MRI on Friday revealed that Bernard avoided the more serious injury in Thursday night's victory at Miami.

Although his injury is not season-ending, Bernard reportedly could miss a month and may be headed to injured reserve. Bills coach Sean McDermott said Friday that the team is still weighing its options, however.

"Unfortunately, he's going to be out multiple weeks. We're talking about whether or not it's an IR conducive-type of situation or not," McDermott said. "I'm aware of the report, and we still have some internal conversations that we have to have to determine if it's going to end up in IR or not."

Bernard, 25, was Buffalo's leading tackler with 143 stops, including 6.5 sacks, in 17 starts last season.

Bernard departed late in the first quarter of Thursday's 31-10 victory against the AFC East rival Dolphins and was replaced by 2022 seventh-round pick Baylon Spector.

Bernard had 11 tackles in the season-opening win against the Arizona Cardinals and added two stops against Miami. He has 178 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 35 regular-season games (20 starts) since Buffalo drafted him in the third round in 2022 out of Baylor.

--Field Level Media

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