How Does WR Gabe Davis On Buffalo Bills Injury Report Affect Monday Night Football?

Gabe Davis has established himself as perhaps the best No. 2 wide receiver in the NFL, a player who could certainly be the top target on any other team in the league.

Yet with Monday Night Football just hours away, questions remain surrounding the availability of the Buffalo Bills wideout after he suffered an ankle sprain in the team’s final practice last week.

While we await the final official Buffalo Bills injury report for Monday’s home game against the Tennessee Titans, here are a few takeaways from what do we know.

Buffalo Bills injury report headline: WR Gabe Davis ‘real’ questionable

Earlier Monday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, said that “Gabe Davis is real questionable” for the Bills’ Monday Night football game against the Titans.

“They’ll give him a chance,” Rapoport said, “but it doesn’t look good.”

“Gabe Davis is REAL questionable for tonight’s game.. they’ll give him a chance but it doesn’t sound good” ~@RapSheet#PMSOverreactionMonday pic.twitter.com/tPCNGqinew

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 19, 2022

Obviously, having Davis in the lineup provides the Bills with one of the better 1-2 receiving punches in the NFL alongside Stefon Diggs. That tandem combined for 210 receiving yards of the 297 total in Buffalo’s Week 1 win at the Rams.

But if Davis has to sit, who would step up?

WR Isaiah McKenzie

A sixth-year wideout out of Georgia, now in his fifth season with the Bills, Isaiah McKenzie could attract more targets from Allen.

Last season, when Davis and Cole Beasley went on the reserve/COVID-19 list, McKenzie was called upon. And he answered the bell with a career-high 11 catches and 125 yards to go along with a score. This while Diggs went for 85 yards and TD on seven catches.

Last week, McKenzie had two catches on three targets for 19 yards and a touchdown.

WR Jamison Crowder

Last week, Jamison Crowder had the third-most targets among Bills receivers, catching three of four passes for 28 yards.

Throughout his career, Crowder has been a relatively reliable wideout, a suitable No. 3 receiver and a decent No. 2 when thrust into the role. Plus, he can still be a downfield threat. Before coming to Buffalo this season, Crowder averaged 10.5 yards per catch in three years with the New York Jets.

WR Jake Kumerow/WR Khalil Shakir

This could be the time that Jake Kumerow sees some more action, a week after playing 24% of the snaps in Week 1 but saw no targets from Allen. He totaled just three receptions in the past two seasons with the Bills.

Or, perhaps rookie Khalil Shakir sees some action. A fifth-round pick out of Boise State, Shakir didn’t record any time on the field in Week 1. But Allen might be able to use some receiving-by-committee to replace the explosive Gabe Davis.

Other notable players on injury report for Monday Night Football

For the Bills, of note, DT Ed Oliver has been ruled out for Monday’s game due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, defensive back Dane Jackson remains questionable for a knee injury after recording an interception against the Rams.

As for the Tennessee Titans, three players have been ruled out for the Week 2 Monday Night Football matchup:

• CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring)
• RB Dontrell Hilliard (hamstring)
• OT Jamarco Jones (elbow)

Additionally, with WR Kyle Philips (shoulder) listed as questionable, the Titans could have a spot for some extra hands if the team’s top receiver from Week 1 can’t go or is even limited.

As a result, the Titans recently elevated Josh Gordon from the practice squad. The polarizing wide receiver signed with Tennessee after appearing in 12 games for the Kansas City Chiefs last season. He finished with five catches on 14 targets for 32 yards and a touchdown.