Buffalo Bills Injury Report: Week 13 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s Week 13, and the Buffalo Bills injury report is once again front and center as the Bills (7–4) travel to Pittsburgh for a critical AFC matchup against the Steelers (6–5). After getting manhandled by the Texans last week, Buffalo crashed back to earth, and the Buffalo Bills injury report only got longer. Several key starters suffered serious injuries, forcing the Bills to rely on what feels like a full taxi squad heading into Pittsburgh. This matchup also marks the fourth head-to-head battle of Josh Allen vs. Aaron Rodgers, a rivalry that last left off when Rodgers’ tore his Achilles’ on his first drive for the New York Jets. Now, Rodgers returns from a fractured wrist in his non-throwing hand, while Allen appears on the Buffalo Bills injury report with swelling in his throwing elbow after taking a beating in Week 12. With the AFC playoff race tightening and both teams jockeying for position, the Buffalo Bills injury report may ultimately decide who stays in the hunt.
The Buffalo Bills injury report for Week 13 delivers another tough blow, confirming three key starters officially ruled OUT: left tackle Dion Dawkins, right tackle Spencer Brown, and middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, leaving Buffalo dangerously thin at the edges of their offensive line and the center of its defense. The Buffalo Bills injury report also expanded when wide receiver Curtis Samuel was placed on Injured Reserve, joining a lengthy IR list that already includes DE Landon Jackson, DT Ed Oliver, DE Michael Hoecht, SAF Damar Hamlin, DT DeWayne Carter, CB Dorian Strong, OT Tylan Grable, K Tyler Bass, and SAF Taylor Rapp. Still, the Buffalo Bills injury report lists multiple key contributors as QUESTIONABLE for Week 13, including tight end Dalton Kincaid, wide receiver Joshua Palmer, and Tylan Grable, who is still working his way back from IR. In a surprise roster move, the Bills also signed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks and released Elijah Moore, signaling that Buffalo is actively searching for a spark.
While the Buffalo Bills injury report dominates headlines, the Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 13 in far better health. The Steelers have officially ruled only two players OUT, offensive tackle Broderick Jones and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, a stark contrast to Buffalo’s lengthy list of injured starters. Aaron Rodgers is cleared to play despite a fracture in his non-throwing wrist, and Pittsburgh’s roster has largely avoided major losses to Injured Reserve this season. With the Buffalo Bills injury report stretching the depth chart to its limit, the Steelers may look to capitalize on continuity, health, and experience, especially if Rodgers can control the tempo against a defense missing key leaders. In a playoff-position showdown, Pittsburgh’s relative health advantage could be one of the most decisive factors of Week 13.
OUT
OT Dion Dawkins
Left tackle Dion Dawkins headlines the Buffalo Bills injury report after being ruled OUT with a concussion, a development raising serious concern. Dawkins was cleared to play in the Texans game but reported post-game symptoms, forcing him onto the Week 13 injury report. His absence comes despite 10 days of rest, slightly above the average NFL return-to-play time of nine days (Smith et al., 2022) highlighting scrutiny over the decision to keep him in last week’s game. Dawkins’ missing leaves a glaring hole on an already battered offensive line.
OT Spencer Brown
Spencer Brown was knocked out of last week’s game against the Texans with a right shoulder injury. It appears he suffered a labral injury, possibly a shoulder subluxation. Players with this type of injury can often return in about 1.6 weeks (PMC, 2017), but he will likely need offseason surgery, similar to what he had before the 2024 season.
The injury is especially concerning as it affects his post arm, adding extra stress to his right shoulder. Ideally, he could return after another week or two of rest, but if the shoulder remains unstable or sustains further trauma, he may be forced to shut down for the season.
LB Terrel Bernard
Terrel Bernard is out with an elbow injury after being knocked out of last week’s Texans game. It appears he dislocated his right elbow.
The average return to play for this type of injury is about 25 days (PMC, 2018), putting next week’s game in doubt. However, it’s possible to see Bernard back by Week 15, though he will likely be limited by an elbow brace to prevent further injury.
Added to Injured Reserve (IR)
WR Curtis Samuel
Curtis Samuel was placed on injured reserve after being limited in practice the past two weeks. He originally suffered injuries in the Week 11 game against the Buccaneers and missed the Texans game with “neck and elbow” issues. His injury designation has now changed to “elbow and knee” injuries. Regardless, he will be out for at least the next four games, with the earliest possible return in Week 17.
QUESTIONABLE
TE Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid is listed as questionable this week after missing the last two games. He originally suffered a hamstring injury in Week 10 against the Dolphins and will be at three weeks of recovery this weekend. He returned to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday, but without full participation yet, he will be hard-pressed to play this weekend. If he doesn’t suit up against the Steelers, he should be able to return next week. However, with the Bills losing WR Curtis Samuel to the IR and WR Joshua Palmer questionable to play as well, the Bills might push Kincaid through to play this weekend.
WR Joshua Palmer
Joshua Palmer returned to action the past two weeks after missing three games (five weeks of recovery) due to a suspected high ankle sprain and mild MCL sprain sustained in Week 6 against Atlanta. His timeline aligned well with the typical 4–6 week recovery window for high ankle sprains (Clanton et al., 2000).
Palmer has played 50% of the snaps over the past two weeks and appeared to be moving past his injuries. However, this week he was notably only listed with the ankle, and had a surprise limited participation on Wednesday, which wasn’t noted in the coach’s report prior to practice. He then missed practice on Thursday, suggesting he may have aggravated the ankle during Wednesday’s session. Palmer returned to limited practice on Friday, but the outlook for him playing this Sunday looks bleak. Interestingly, once Palmer was ruled DNP on Thursday, Dalton Kincaid began practicing again, indicating the Bills may be rushing Kincaid back a week earlier while Palmer sits.
Also Listed (Active)
QB Josh Allen
Josh Allen is listed with a right throwing elbow injury after taking several shots in the Texans game, where he was sacked a personal record eight times. He was seen at practice on Wednesday with tape over the tip of his elbow, indicating possible elbow bursitis (swelling at tip of elbow). Fortunately, he should be progressing well as no tape was seen on his elbow on Friday.
Allen participated fully in practice all week but will need to be careful protecting his elbow during the Steelers game, especially with both starting offensive tackles out. Additionally, he took a rough fall earlier in the Texans game that caused a left arm and/or shoulder injury; he remained on the turf briefly but was able to finish the game. This is another injury to monitor closely.
DE Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa appears to be dealing with a wrist injury that dates back to Week 8 against the Panthers. He played Week 9 against the Chiefs with wrist braces, Week 10 with a full club on his left wrist, Week 11 with braces again, and has been wearing a cast since, including during the Week 12 game. Essentially, he has been playing with a wrist fracture. The thumb spica cast and timeline suggest a minor fracture, possibly involving the scaphoid.
It’s unclear if he will need offseason surgery, but he will continue playing with the cast for now. Despite struggling on the field since the injury began, Bosa has still been on the field for over 60% of snaps in each of the last four weeks.
CB Maxwell Hairston
Maxwell Hairston suffered a concussion in the Texans game and exited early in Week 12. Unlike Dion Dawkins, he was able to take advantage of the mini-bye and is ready to play this Sunday. With the average return-to-play timeline for concussions around nine days, Hairston’s recovery is right on track.
FB Reggie Gilliam
Reggie Gilliam was listed with a knee injury all week but remained a full participant in practice. The specifics of his injury are unclear, but he played his third-lowest number of offensive snaps for the season last week. It’s uncertain whether the knee contributed to the drop in snaps or if it was simply a game-plan decision.
DT Phidarian Mathis
Phidarian Mathis was mostly a full participant in practice all week despite a shoulder ailment that caused him to miss the last two games. It’s unclear whether the team will play him, as he is currently listed as the sixth defensive tackle on the depth chart.
Feature Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty images
