Orchard Park, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills rookie right tackle Cody Ford missed last week’s game against Washington, forcing coach Sean McDermott to play one person at that position for an entire game for the first time this season.

Veteran Ty Nsekhe got his first start with Ford still recovering from an elbow injury, ending the platoon approach by McDermott that asked the two players to split time at the position all season.

The plan this week is fluid but all indications are that McDermott will go back to right tackle-by-committee approach against the Cleveland Browns, who employ one of the league’s elite pass rushers in defensive end Myles Garrett.

“(Cody and Ty are) both playing at a high level and they’re both doing good things,” McDermott said. “They work together well and they help each other out during the week, which is important for us.”

Ford’s development as a pass blocker has been one of the top storylines on the Bills offense this season. As a run blocker he’s been solid but Nsekhe has been arguably the better and more consistent pass blocker at the position this season. Pro Football Focus gave Nsekhe a 62.0 pass blocking grade on his 36 snaps vs. Philadelphia in Week 8, while Ford a 34.3 on just 26. When the game got out of hand and the Bills needed to score points, McDermott kept Nsekhe in the game.

Huge update here. Olivier Vernon hasn't practiced all week and likely will miss Sunday's game vs. #Bills. That's one less problem for Josh Allen and BUF o-line. All focus will be on Myles Garrett. Most was already on him. https://t.co/X51XPPwcWz — Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) November 8, 2019

Whoever lines up at right tackle this week if going to have to be up to the task when Garrett lines up at left defensive end. He’s second in the NFL this season with 10.0 sacks and will be counted on even more heavily this week with defensive edge Olivier Vernon already ruled out with a knee injury.

Ford is “definitely looking forward to the match up,” but said no matter who is on the other side of the line, the Bills’ offensive line’s approach stays the same.

"Facts is facts, (Garrett) is one of the best in the game,' Ford said. “But you gonna prepare the same. You can’t change everything up week to week just on who you play. He is who he is and what we do throughout this week won’t change who he is. All I can control is what I can control.”

Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets a break in just having to worry about Garrett instead of the two-headed monster with Vernon. But the second-year passer knows that if the Bills let Garrett get comfortable, it could be a long day in the pocket for the Wyoming product.

“(Myles is) relentless, a big body, can do some freakish things. He’s no joke out there and he’s proved himself for the last couple years," Allen said. “He’s a tough task for any team. We’re going to try to put together a game plan, try to go out there and execute the best we can. (We can’t) let him become the distraction that he is on the field because when he gets things going, he’s a problem to be dealt with.”

On the left side, Bills third-year tackle Dion Dawkins is having a stellar season. He’ll also be asked to block Garrett but figures to be the stronger match up for the Bills if Ford is in the game.

Cleveland dropped to 2-6 last week after a 24-19 loss against the Denver Broncos. Two of Denver’s three touchdowns came on plays with Garrett off the field. When the Broncos had the most success against the Browns was when they were able to sustain drives.

Ford said the Bills are preparing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

“The focus every week is to limit mistakes and to put drives together and score points. That’s the goal every week,” Ford said. “Just like any other week we’re going to go in with that mind set and however we got to do it (to win), we got to do it.”

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