SEPTEMBER 14: When speaking about the injury, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg) Bernard is facing a multi-week absence. A decision has yet to be made regarding an IR stint, however. As expected, McDermott added that Spector will be counted on as Bernard’s replacement moving forward, setting him up for a signficant workload over at least a short-term span.
SEPTEMBER 13: Terrel Bernard exited Buffalo’s win on Thursday night, and he is now set to miss multiple games. The third-year linebacker avoided the worst-case scenario, however. 
Bernard’s pectoral injury has proven to be a strain rather than a full tear after further testing, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. As a result, the 25-year-old is facing a recovery timeline of roughly one month. While that represents positive news in one sense, it makes Bernard a candidate for injured reserve and leaves Buffalo’s linebacking corps even thinner for the time being.
Matt Milano suffered a biceps tear one month ago, sidelining him indefinitely. The All-Pro hopes to return at some point during the year, but being without him (especially after he missed much of 2023) constitutes a notable challenge for the Bills’ second level. Bernard was set to remain a key figure on defense after he logged a full-time starting role last year and collected 143 tackles. The former third-rounder will miss a minimum of four weeks if he is placed on IR, though.
2022 seventh-round selection Baylon Spector stepped in for Bernard on Thursday, and he collected 10 tackles. Spector totaled only 15 appearances during his first two seasons in the league, playing primarily on special teams. A major uptick in playing time could be in store for the Clemson product over the coming weeks with Bernard on the mend as the Bills sort out their remaining linebacker options.
The team also has 2023 third-rounder Dorian Williams in place; he started only two games as a rookie but has already matched that total this season. Williams has seen a 77% defensive snap share so far in 2024, a steep increase from his workload last year. With Milano (who was designated for return during roster cutdowns) and now Bernard out of the picture, Buffalo will rely more on Williams, Spector and the likes of Nicholas Morrow, Edefuan Ulofoshio and Joe Andreessen at the LB position.
I hate reading analyst unfortunately use wrong information. There are 3 degrees to a strain (muscular) which are consistent to those sprains(ligamental) injuries.
1st degree = pulling w/o tearing fibers
2nd degree = tearing of the fiber up to 1/2 thickness of structure
3rd degree = tearing of more than 1/2 of thickness to complete severing
It seems that Terrel suffered a 1st degree strain which would be the 4-6 weeks recovery period
You have to remember that some teams would rather provide no information at all about injuries their players suffer. Belichick was perhaps the worst in that regard and was frequently warned by the league to stop filing ambiguous reports. In any event I doubt an analyst is going to have a pair of calipers in his back pocket to measure the degree of damage before making his report to the media.
Sounds like Belichick would’ve been fine in the NHL. Just about every hockey injury is referred to as an “upper body injury” or “lower body injury.” I get why coaches are intentionally vague, but it’s frustrating for fans and media personnel.
I remember the Leafs Nylander was in the pregame skate before a playoff match against Boston last season but then mysteriously was kept out of the game. No explanation was given. Why would anyone consider placing bets on NHL games if something like that is allowed?
Next man up! Thank god it’s a sprain, a tear would have been devastating for that D.