In NFL circles, you don’t have to talk to many people to realize pretty quickly that Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver is one of those dudes.
The type of dude opposing NFL offensive linemen have nightmares about. The type of dude who keeps opposing offensive coordinators up all night.
Headed into the Bills’ AFC Divisional Round game against the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos on Saturday, January 17, Oliver might be ready for a hero turn if he can make his way back from injuries that cost him almost all of the regular season.
“Report: Bills DT Ed Oliver and WR Curtis Samuel have had their 21-day practice windows opened!” Built in Buffalo wrote on its official X account. “We could see both this week.”
Oliver, the No, 9 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, missed a career high 14 regular season games due to bicep and knee injuries and hasn’t played since a Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Bills Mafia Desperate for Oliver’s Return
Bills head coach Sean McDermott has been reticent to play his hand on what he plans to do with Oliver, who signed a 4-year, $68 million contract extension before the 2023 season.
“There’s just a lot of things that need to happen between now and then,” McDermott told Sports Illustrated before the Bills’ 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Round. “And to be honest with you, I’m not up to speed on all what those boxes are that need to get checked, but there’s a number of them. So, (returning for AFC Divisional Round) is not out of the question. I think the best thing to say is we’ll see.”
It’s pretty clear what Bills Mafia wants: The 6-foot-1, 287-pound defensive star on the field with their season on the line.
“Ed Oliver if you’re seeing this we need you Saturday,” King of New York wrote on X.
“The Ed Oliver watch is officially on!!” Bills fan Jim Reuther wrote on X.
“Ed Oliver’s practice window is OPEN,” Train Wreck Sports content creator Ajay Cybulski wrote on X. “Potential return Saturday vs. Denver.”
Uber-Dominant Defender Since College Days
Oliver first leapt onto the radars of football fans at the University of Houston, where he was a 3-time All-American from 2016 to 2018, despite playing just 8 games in 2018.
The first freshman to win the Bill Willis Award as the nation’s top college defensive lineman, he also won the Outland Trophy in 2017 and in 3 seasons, Oliver had a staggering 53 TFL to go with 13.5 sacks.
In 7 seasons with the Bills, he’s been at the heart of their defense and they’ve made the playoffs every year he’s been on the roster. That includes 2 appearances in the AFC Championship Game.
Through his first 6 seasons, Oliver only missed 8 games, total, and has 17-game averages that show a player as dominant at his position as anyone in the NFL; 43 tackles, 10 TFL, 5.5 sacks and 14 QB hits.
“Notable: Bills DT Ed Oliver designated to return to practice this week,” NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe wrote on X. “Oliver is arguably Bills best defender. He’s been out since tearing bicep in late October, also recovering from meniscus cleanup surgery.”
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