Josh Allen's status unchanged; Buffalo Bills quarterback remains in concussion protocol

ORCHARD PARK – There was no change in quarterback Josh Allen’s status Thursday afternoon as the Buffalo Bills continued preparation for Sunday’s game in Tennessee.

Allen, as he did Wednesday, participated on a limited basis in the workout on a rainy day at One Bills Drive, but to what extent that was, no one knows.

When the media was allowed to watch both days, Allen looked like he was a full go as he went through the typical light drills that begin every practice where he’s handing off to running backs and throwing passes to uncovered receivers. 

Once the media has to exit, the Bills get into their full-scale prep work, and for all we know, Allen might not have done anything. When the practice was over, coach Sean McDermott uttered the same line he used Monday and Wednesday, that Allen is still in the concussion protocol.

This does not mean Allen won’t play Sunday, but three days shy of the game, to still be in the protocol probably isn’t a good sign for his availability. And quite honestly, it makes all the sense in the world to rest him this week with the bye week on the horizon.

That would give him extra rest heading into the Bills next game, Oct. 20 against the Dolphins at New Era Field.

If Allen doesn’t play, veteran backup Matt Barkley would make his second start for the Bills, the other coming last November in New York. If that happens, the Bills would have to activate Davis Webb from the practice squad to serve as the second-string quarterback. 

They have until 4 p.m. Saturday to make that move, and they created room on the 53-man roster to do so on Thursday when they released offensive tackle Conor McDermott. If they decide to fill McDermott's spot with another player, another potential way they could bring up Webb - if need be - would be to put linebacker Corey Thompson, who underwent ankle surgery last week, on injured reserve.

There wasn’t much to report on Devin Singletary’s availability, either. McDermott said he “did some good things” during practice, but he’s been saying that for two weeks. He added that Singletary remains day-to-day.

Like Allen, the prudent move would be to rest Singletary another game, too, in the hope that his hamstring would fully heal in time for the Miami game. That would give Singletary a month of time off.

Allen is one of three Bills in concussion protocol, and the other two, fullback Patrick DiMarco and safety Dean Marlowe, remain there was well and it would seem their chances of playing Sunday aren’t great. 

And right tackle Ty Nsekhe missed his second day with an ankle injury, leaving his status in question. If Nsekhe can’t play, that probably means Cody Ford will get all the reps at that position. Ford and Nsekhe have been rotating throughout the first four games.

MAIORANA@Gannett.com