DJ Moore Dodges Bullet With Shoulder Injury - Treated Day-to-day With AC Joint

DJ Moore Diagnosed with AC Joint Sprain, Bills Cautiously Optimistic for Week 3

Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore avoided a worst-case scenario after suffering a shoulder injury during the team's 41-31 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night, with the club now treating him on a day-to-day basis.

The Injury

DJ Moore, the Buffalo Bills' No. 1 receiver and key offseason acquisition, left Thursday night's 41-31 win over the Detroit Lions because of a left shoulder injury and did not return. The injury occurred after landing hard on his left shoulder in the end zone late in the second quarter in Orchard Park, New York , while attempting to haul in a pass from Josh Allen.

Moore left the game with just under three minutes left in the second quarter with a shoulder and stinger injury, going down in the end zone diving and attempting to make a catch before walking off the field under his own power. He was examined for two separate injuries, his shoulder and a stinger, and was initially listed as questionable to return before being downgraded to out just after halftime.

Diagnosis and Outlook

Moore is believed to have suffered an AC joint sprain, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday morning, per sources. Importantly, doctors do not consider the injury serious and it will leave him day-to-day, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, with Moore having a chance to play next week against the Chargers, though it's not a lock.

Rapoport offered further clarity on the severity, noting the injury is "Not considered to be a serious injury... It is an AC joint sprain for DJ Moore. Considered day-to-day. I expect him to practice next week, that is a good sign. We'll see if he plays, but I do expect him to practice."

Buffalo's schedule may work in Moore's favor. Buffalo is in the midst of a mini bye week after playing on Thursday night, giving the team 10 days until their next contest and Moore some added time to recuperate.

Context

Moore's absence didn't slow Buffalo's offense against Detroit. Tight end Dalton Kincaid broke out over the first two games of the year, leading the team in targets (8), receptions (7), and receiving yards (95) on Thursday night, and also caught a touchdown in the closing minutes of the first half.

Should Moore be held out in Week 3, Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid figure to be Josh Allen's preferred targets the rest of the way, with Keon Coleman also expected to see increased opportunities. The Bills improved to 2-0 on the season with the victory and will host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.