The Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints will be the fourth absence of the 2025 season for Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass.
Bass, who dealt with a pelvic injury during the offseason, was placed on the injured reserve list prior to Week 1 due to a left hip/groin issue, which means he's forced to miss the first four games, at least.
Of course, that also means Bass is eligible to be activated and return in Week 5, but is that going to happen?
Here's what head coach Sean McDermott said on the matter during the week.
Is Tyler Bass coming back in Week 5?
Unfortunately, McDermott did not provide any clarity on if Bass would be ready to return in Week 5. He did say, however, that Bass is progressing.
"Moving in the right direction, but don't know at this point," McDermott said of Bass on Wednesday. "Is it going to be next week? Will it be two weeks? Three weeks? We'll see."
In Bass' absence, the Bills turned to 41-year-old kicker Matt Prater, who has been impressive overall over three games.
Granted, Prater missed his first field goal last week against the Miami Dolphins, but he did make his previous seven before that, including a game-winner against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
Prater has been good enough that some have wondered if he might take Bass' job entirely.
We don't envision that happening, but the veteran kicker's performance thus far does allow the Bills to take their time with Bass to make sure he's fully healthy before returning to the field.
MORE NFL NEWS
- Will Joe Burrow be back in 2025? Latest injury update on Bengals QB
- Latest news on Texans RB Joe Mixon's status for 2025 season
- Steeles quarterback was 'jumped and robbed' in Ireland
- Latest news on Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's expected return date
- Giants beat writer gives possible reason for odd kicker decision
- Giants benching Russell Wilson hurts Falcons chances of trading Kirk Cousins