Buffalo Bills Injury Report: Divisional Round vs Denver Broncos
The Buffalo Bills injury report once again takes center stage as the postseason shifts to the Divisional Round, with the No. 6 seed Bills set to face the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos. Buffalo continues to limp out of each game, carrying an injury report that reads like a CVS receipt after last week’s Wild Card win over Jacksonville added three more contributors to the list. Even Josh Allen picked up two new injuries along the way, yet somehow keeps answering the bell, absorbing punishment and moving forward as if he’s built from Adamantium. The Broncos, meanwhile, enter fresh off a bye week with far fewer health concerns, setting up a familiar postseason contrast: a battered Bills team relying on toughness and resilience against a rested opponent.
The Bills listed two players officially ruled OUT, CB Maxwell Hairston and S Jordan Poyer, setting an early tone for just how banged up this roster really is. A handful of key contributors were labeled QUESTIONABLE, including LB Terrel Bernard, RB Ty Johnson, DT Ed Oliver (IR), WR Curtis Samuel (IR), and S Damar Hamlin (IR).
Notably, Buffalo elevated RB Frank Gore Jr. and WR Mecole Hardman Jr. from the practice squad, a move that strongly suggests Ty Johnson is headed for a second straight week on the sidelines as the Bills look for fresh legs and a little extra pop. The good news came with Ed Oliver and Curtis Samuel both activated to the 53-man roster, all but locking them in for Saturday and giving Buffalo some much-needed muscle and speed back in the lineup. Hamlin, however, was not activated and will not play. As if that wasn’t enough, the Bills continue to juggle an IR list that could use its own locker, now adding wide receivers Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis to a group already featuring Michael Hoecht, Tyler Bass, Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter, Dorian Strong, Chase Lundt, and Taylor Rapp. Depth may be tested, bodies may be sore, but Buffalo is once again finding creative ways to keep this thing alive.
The Broncos head into this matchup in far better shape from a health standpoint, listing just two players as OUT in LB Drew Sanders and TE Lucas Krull. Their IR list is refreshingly short as well, with only notables S Brandon Jones and RB J.K. Dobbins sidelined, a luxury Buffalo hasn’t enjoyed in months. Denver is rested and healthy, which on paper sounds like the perfect recipe for a playoff run. Unfortunately for them, the playoffs aren’t played on paper, and good health has a funny habit of not meaning much once the ball is kicked. The Broncos may be upright and well-rested, but they’re still standing in Buffalo’s way, and history suggests that usually ends the same way.
The Franchise
QB Josh Allen – Foot/Knee/Right Finger
Josh Allen once again sits at the center of the Buffalo Bills injury report, and once again, the list of things that failed to stop him is longer than the list of things actually holding him back. Allen has been managing a lingering foot injury dating back to Week 16, and instead of getting healthier, he somehow added to the résumé. Allen picked up a right throwing finger injury, a left knee injury, and even a brief visit to the medical tent for a concussion evaluation last week. At this point, it’s less about what Allen gets hit with and more about whether anything ever sticks.
The foot injury, however, hasn’t completely exited the conversation. Allen first sustained a foot injury in Week 16 against the Browns, showing visible discomfort before tweaking the same foot the following week versus the Eagles. X-rays taken at the time revealed no structural damage, and the organization has consistently framed the issue as low-grade and manageable. National insider Ian Rapoport even noted prior to the Wild Card matchup that Allen’s foot was “as healthy as it’s been in a while,” a statement that largely held true through his performance against Jacksonville.
The Wild Card win over Jacksonville was a perfect snapshot of why Josh Allen continues to dominate the Buffalo Bills injury report conversation. Early in the game, Allen was briefly evaluated for a concussion, a concern that ultimately proved to be the least of his issues. Before halftime, he jammed his right throwing finger on a teammate’s helmet and later took a frightening hit that nearly bent his left knee the wrong way.
Ultimately, the Buffalo Bills injury report may continue to list Josh Allen, but the evidence points in one clear direction. After gutting through multiple scares during the Wild Card win, Allen followed it up with a reassuring practice week, logging FULL participations to close things out. Photos from practice tell the same story; no knee brace, no sleeve, clean grip, and no visible limitations. The foot, the finger, and the knee remain officially documented, but functionally, all systems appear to be go. As always with Allen, the injuries get noted, the concern lingers, and then he lines up anyway, ready to do what he’s always done when January arrives.
QUESTIONABLE
Ed Oliver (IR) – Bicep
Ed Oliver’s return is nothing short of remarkable, and also a little reckless by the book. Oliver suffered a biceps rupture at the end of October, putting him roughly 12 weeks removed from surgery, which is already an aggressive timeline. As if that weren’t enough, he also underwent a knee scope just two to three weeks ago, a procedure that typically carries a four-week return window on its own. His 21-day practice window was opened this week, and while Oliver was a limited participant throughout, he never logged a full practice. Rules, timelines, and medical norms aside, the Bills activated Oliver to the 53-man roster anyway, and all signs point to him playing Saturday.
That said, there should be some pause regarding how much he can realistically contribute. A true full recovery from a biceps rupture is closer to six months (Pagani N.R., Leibman M.I., Guss M.S. et al.), though playoff football has a funny way of speeding up the healing process. We’ve seen this movie before, as Matt Milano returned from the same surgery last season at just 15 weeks, further proof that Bills players have recently taken a “science is more of a suggestion” approach in January. The expectation around the league was that Oliver might be more of a Super Bowl-or-bust return, but Buffalo clearly decided the risk-versus-reward made sense now. There will be inherent risk for biceps re-injury and soft tissue issues in general, considering the three-month layoff, limited practice reps, and very recent knee procedure. Still, desperate times call for bold decisions, so here’s hoping for the best for the resident horse lover as he tries to defy another timeline.
Ty Johnson – Ankle
Running back Ty Johnson remains one of the more intriguing names on the Buffalo Bills injury report this week after missing the Wild Card win with an ankle injury due to an injury suffered in Week 18 against the Jets. The injury itself was somewhat deceptive, as Johnson went down early in the first quarter but managed to finish the game. Last week’s practice pattern raised eyebrows, Johnson went DNP–DNP–Limited, only to arrive at the Jaguars game in a walking boot and ultimately miss the contest. This week has followed an identical script, once again logging DNP–DNP–Limited, leaving him with an outside chance to suit up against Denver. However, the team called up RB Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad, which signals the will miss his second straight game. The concern appears consistent with a high ankle sprain, an injury that typically carries a four-week return timeline (Clanton et al., 2000), though postseason urgency has a way of compressing the calendar. Availability may come down to pain tolerance and function rather than risk alone.
LB Terrel Bernard – Calf
Linebacker Terrel Bernard continues to work his way back after suffering a calf injury in Week 17 against the Eagles. Calf strains typically carry a two-to-three week recovery window (Werner BC et al.), which places Bernard right at the three-week mark heading into this weekend. He was able to participate in practice in a limited capacity throughout the week, a clear step forward from last week’s DNP status. Still, even with the positive progression, Buffalo may choose patience. With reserve linebacker Shaq Thompson playing well in Bernard’s absence, the Bills have the flexibility to stash Bernard for another week rather than push a soft-tissue injury that can easily flare if rushed.
Damar Hamlin (IR) – Pectoral
Safety Damar Hamlin continues to make measured progress on the Buffalo Bills injury report as he enters the second week of his 21-day practice window following pectoral surgery in early October. At roughly three and a half months post-surgery, Hamlin is technically within a timeline that some NFL players have used to return for critical playoff stretches, though the standard recovery for this type of injury is closer to five to six months. While some limitations in strength and performance are expected, Hamlin has been a full participant in practice all week. The pathway is there, but patience and medical oversight remain essential before he takes the field in a high-stakes game. He was not activated to the 53-man roster this week, which means he will not play this weekend.
WR Curtis Samuel – Elbow
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel has quietly reemerged on the Buffalo Bills injury report after a long stint on injured reserve with neck and elbow injuries dating back to November 28. Samuel missed the final six games of the season, and questions lingered over which injury had kept him sidelined; the neck, the elbow, or both. Now it is clear, as the elbow was the limiting factor, as that is what he is listed with at this time. After the Bills opened his 21-day practice window, Samuel has been a full participant all week, seemingly ready and waiting in the shadows. The Bills have called him up to the 53-man roster and he is expected to be active Saturday. With Buffalo having dealt with a rash of wide receiver injuries recently, including Joshua Palmer, Tyrell Shavers, and Gabe Davis landing on IR, Samuel will be offering the team a much-needed boost in the passing game.
Added to Injured Reserve (IR)
WR Tyrell Shavers – ACL
Wide receiver Tyrell Shavers has been placed on injured reserve this week after suffering a left ACL tear against the Jaguars before halftime, a devastating injury made even more remarkable by the fact that he returned to play in the second half. While the performance showcased his toughness, Shavers’ season is now officially over, and surgery is scheduled. With modern ACL recoveries trending around nine months, a clean rehabilitation would put him on track to return around the middle of next season.
WR Gabe Davis – ACL
Wide receiver Gabe Davis suffered a torn ACL during the Wild Card win against the Jaguars, an especially unfortunate setback given that it occurred in the same knee he had PCL and meniscal repairs on last year. That previous injury required a lengthy recovery and included some complications, which only adds to the challenge this time. Davis now faces another long rehabilitation period, and due to both the high-impact nature of the current injury and his knee’s surgical history, a full return could take closer to 12 months. This effectively sidelines him for the remainder of this season and places his availability for next year well into question.
OUT
CB Max Hairston – Ankle
Cornerback Maxwell Hairston remains OUT on the Buffalo Bills injury report after suffering an apparent high ankle sprain late in the Week 18 blowout against the Jets, a moment that raised some eyebrows given the game’s lopsided score. Hairston has been a DNP in practice the past two weeks, and his availability if the Bills advance remains uncertain. High ankle sprains typically carry a median return-to-play window of about four weeks, making it impossible for Hairston to return this week, and even next week in doubt.
S Jordan Poyer – Hamstring
Safety Jordan Poyer will also miss this week after aggravating a hamstring injury that first occurred in Week 16 against the Browns. Despite three weeks of recovery heading into last week’s game, Poyer inevitably strained the muscle again, resetting his timeline. With the injury lingering, it’s unlikely he would be available next week either. Unless the team opts to place him on injured reserve, Poyer’s best-case scenario now falls squarely into a “Super Bowl or bust” window, highlighting both the severity of the setback and the stakes if Buffalo continues its postseason run.
Also Listed (Active)
While several players remain on the Buffalo Bills injury report, they are expected to play this week, though each carries a note of caution.
Linebacker Shaq Thompson continues to practice in a red non-contact jersey as the team manages his neck, a precaution to preserve mobility and limit contact. Thompson has been a reliable contributor this season, and the non-contact approach appears aimed at keeping him available for the postseason grind without further aggravating the injury.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid briefly wore a boot after the Jaguars game, though the move was primarily precautionary as per McDermott. The team noted it was listed a calf issue, which now joins his preexisting knee injury. Despite the dual concerns, Kincaid has participated in practice and is expected to play, though workload management may still be in play depending on how the calf responds during the week.
Kicker Matt Prater is navigating a challenging stretch, already dealing with a right quadriceps injury that has limited his kickoff duties. He also sustained a right calf issue during the Wild Card win, compounding his lower-body concerns. While he is slated to play, Buffalo has kept contingency plans ready should his injuries flare during the game.
The remainder of the active injury list includes DE AJ Epenesa (neck), LB Matt Milano (ankle), and DE Greg Rousseau (back). Each has practiced and is expected to play, though the usual attention to warmups and load management will remain in place to keep the group healthy for a deep postseason push.
Feature Image: Photo credit: Ed Oliver (@Edoliver_11 on X)
