Pro Football Hall of Famer Billy Shaw died Friday at his home in Toccoa, Georgia, his family announced. Billy’s wife, Patsy, and their three daughters were at his bedside.
The cause of death was hyponatremia, a condition where the level of sodium in the blood is abnormally low.
Shaw was drafted by both the Bills of the AFL and the Cowboys of the NFL in 1961 out of Georgia Tech, where he played both offense and defense. The Bills drafted him in the second round to play guard, and the Cowboys picked him in the 14th round as a linebacker.
He signed with the Bills and went on to become one of the best guards in NFL history.
A key member of the Bills’ teams that won AFL titles in 1964 and 1965, Shaw earned first-team All-AFL honors from 1962-66 and was a second-team All-AFL choice in 1962, 1968 and 1969.
Shaw was selected to play in eight AFL all-star games.
He was named to the AFL All-Time Team and to pro football’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s.
In 1999, Shaw was enshrined in Canton as the only Hall of Famer to play his entire career in the AFL.
Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs downplayed his reunion with the Bills this week by saying that he is going to “block out the noise” and just try “to go 1-0" on Sunday.
One of Diggs’ fellow wideouts thinks there’s a bit more to it than that. During an appearance with Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio, Nico Collins said that the team is motivated to make Diggs a winner this weekend because of how much the game means to him.
“We know it’s a big game for Stef,” Collins said. “We know what we gotta do, we gotta go out here and win for Stef. I’m happy for my dog. I’m happy that he’s part of the Texans, but know this game means a lot to him. I feel like it’s only right for us to go out there, have fun and get this win for him.”
Beating another AFC contender is ample motivation for the Texans, but getting a little something extra from the Diggs angle probably isn’t going to hurt them heading into Sunday afternoon.
The Texans ruled out running back Joe Mixon (ankle) for a third consecutive game.
He was injured on an illegal hip drop tackle in Week 2 against the Bears.
The Texans could get backup running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) back this week. He returned to limited work Friday and is questionable.
Pierce has not played since being injured in the season opener.
Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have filled in as Houston’s primary running backs since Mixon’s injury.
Houston also has ruled out defensive end Derek Barnett (shoulder) for Sunday.
Linebacker Jake Hansen (back), defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (calf), defensive end Dylan Horton (illness), wide receiver Robert Woods (foot) and offensive lineman Tytus Howard (hamstring) are questionable. Howard and Hansen did not practice Friday, and Woods was limited. Hinish and Horton were full participants.
Blake Fisher is expected to start at right tackle if Howard can’t go.
The Bills will be without a few key players as they play the Texans on Sunday.
Via multiple reporters, head coach Sean McDermott said in his weekly interview with WGR 550 that defensive tackle Ed Oliver, receiver Khalil Shakir, defensive tackle Austin Johnson, and safety Taylor Rapp have all been ruled out for Week 5.
Oliver suffered a hamstring injury during Thursday’s practice, which will keep him off the field this weekend. That’s a significant loss, as the veteran defender has been on the field for 68 percent of Buffalo’s defensive snaps.
In four games, Oliver has a sack, two tackles for loss, and two QB hits this season.
Shakir has been Buffalo’s leading receiver through the first four weeks, catching 18 passes for 230 yards with two touchdowns. He has been sidelined by an ankle injury this week.
Johnson is dealing with an oblique injury and Rapp is in concussion protocol.
Cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) and linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) are set to be questionable.
Buffalo’s full injury report will be released later on Friday.
Once again, the Texans will not have their starting running back as they take on a key AFC opponent.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Joe Mixon is not expected to play against the Bills on Sunday as he continues to deal with an ankle injury.
Mixon has not played since Week 2 when he suffered the injury against Chicago. He rushed for 159 yards on 30 carries in the Week 1 win over the Colts. He also caught three passes for 19 yards in that game.
Mixon practiced late last week but has not been sidelined through the first two days of prep for Week 5.
Dameon Pierce (hamstring) has also missed the first two days of practice, setting up Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale to be Houston’s primary running backs against Buffalo.
The Texans’ full injury report with game statuses will be released later on Friday.