Buffalo Bills Injury Report: Week 18 vs New York Jets
The Buffalo Bills injury report takes on a different kind of weight this week as the 11–5 Bills close the book on Highmark Stadium against the 3–13 New York Jets in what is almost certainly the final game ever played there. With Buffalo locked into a wild card after last week’s gut punch loss to the Eagles, this injury report feels less like who’s broken and more like who actually needs the day off. Josh Allen’s foot remains the headline, thankfully accompanied by newly released foot pics, allowing for yet another completely rational breakdown of Josh’s extremities. However, the bigger story is the goodbye. Highmark gave me the greatest comeback of all time, a front-row seat to Josh Allen’s perfect playoff game, and during the darkest drought years, the unforgettable personal achievement of being escorted out for laying my own pressed ham on a luxury box. As the snow, memories, and injury designations pile up, this finale feels like a strange mix of nostalgia, caution tape, and one last thank you to a stadium that saw it all.
The Buffalo Bills injury report remains as bloated as ever heading into the Highmark Stadium farewell, with Buffalo listing three starters already ruled OUT and a handful more stuck in limbo. Safety Jordan Poyer, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, and linebacker Terrel Bernard will all miss the finale, leaving noticeable holes at every level of the defense. Meanwhile, the QUESTIONABLE tag hangs over defensive end Joey Bosa, tight end Dalton Kincaid, and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, turning this week into less of a medical mystery and more of a philosophical debate about who actually needs rest in a virtually meaningless regular-season game. Add in a still-loaded IR list which included Ed Oliver, Michael Hoecht, Curtis Samuel, Damar Hamlin, Tyler Bass, Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter, Dorian Strong, Chase Lundt, and Taylor Rapp. The Bills once again enter a game managing bodies as much as an opponent. With playoff positioning already set and emotions running high, this injury report feels like one last reminder that nothing at Highmark ever came easy.
The Jets arrive in Orchard Park in full organizational freefall, and their injury report reads less like a status update and more like a cry for help. New York has six players already ruled OUT, highlighted by defensive end Michael Clemons, cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers, and tight end Mason Taylor, while four more, including QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Breece Hall, CB Brandon Stephens, and OL Joe Tippman are listed as QUESTIONABLE. With the Jets expected to start third-string quarterback Brady Cook, competitiveness has quietly exited the building, much like their season did weeks ago. The IR list only adds to the chaos, featuring major names like Braelon Allen, Justin Fields, Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Will McDonald IV, Tony Adams, and Alijah Vera-Tucker. Simply put, the Jets aren’t just banged up, they’re limping toward the offseason, hoping this finale ends mercifully and without adding another name to an already overwhelmed list.
The Franchise
QB Josh Allen – Foot
Josh Allen once again headlines the Buffalo Bills injury report, officially cleared to play but still carrying some very real foot-related intrigue. After being seen limping and visibly aggravating the injury following last week’s loss to the Eagles, Allen reportedly underwent X-rays for the second straight week, again with no structural damage found.
Sean McDermott struck a more bullish tone regarding Allen’s symptoms, reinforcing the belief that this remains a minor issue rather than anything more sinister. Practice participation tells a slightly different story this time around: after going Limited–Limited–Full last week, the Bills took a more conservative approach with a DNP–DNP–Limited progression, suggesting workload management rather than escalation.
The injury still aligns with a mild midfoot sprain, similar to what Allen dealt with in 2021 following the overtime loss to Tampa Bay, an episode that looked dramatic postgame due to the walking boot but never actually cost him time. In the NFL, low-grade midfoot sprains can return within a week, while a grade 2 sprain can require up to five weeks, a timeline that becomes especially relevant with the playoffs just two weeks away (Osbahr et al.). With no structural damage identified and Allen cleared to play, the diagnosis itself isn’t alarming, but the calendar certainly is.
The key distinction now is context. Buffalo is locked into a wild card spot, this game carries minimal stakes, and midfoot injuries are notorious for flaring with planting, pivoting, and contact, essentially Allen’s entire operating system. While he’s expected to start, the priority shifts from proving toughness to avoiding unnecessary risk. This feels less about whether Josh Allen can play and more about how long he needs to, making a quick exit Sunday very much expected.
OUT
LB Terrel Bernard – Calf
Terrel Bernard will not be playing due to a calf injury suffered in last week’s loss to the Eagles, a recovery timeline that typically takes at minimum two to three weeks, so his absence comes as no surprise (Werner BC et al.). With backup linebacker Shaq Thompson performing well in his place, Buffalo has no rush to bring Bernard back for a largely meaningless finale, instead prioritizing his health for the postseason and ensuring he returns closer to full strength when it really counts.
S Jordan Poyer – Hamstring
Jordan Poyer remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered late in the Browns’ game two weeks ago. Hamstring strains typically require around two weeks to heal, so his continued absence is no surprise, and this extended rest sets him up perfectly to return healthy for the postseason (Strive). By Wild Card weekend, Poyer will have had roughly three weeks off, giving Buffalo’s defensive centerpiece ample recovery time and a strong chance to be back for the playoffs.
DT DaQuan Jones – Calf
DaQuan Jones will be out for a second consecutive game after suffering a setback with his calf injury in Week 16. With three full weeks of rest before Buffalo’s playoff matchup, he should be ready to return and contribute once the postseason begins.
QUESTIONABLE
TE Dalton Kincaid – Knee
Dalton Kincaid remains a questionable presence after dealing with a right hamstring strain and aggravating his left knee, which carries a prior PCL sprain from last year, while rehabbing. He returned for three games but was shut down last week following a minor setback.
This week, his practice participation improved to limited all week, compared to the two DNPs in each of the previous two weeks, offering some cautious optimism. That said, given his importance to the offense, it would be shocking if the Bills risked him in Week 18, as any additional stress could jeopardize his availability for the playoffs.
DE Joey Bosa – Hamstring
Joey Bosa is questionable this week as the Bills continue to take a cautious approach with his hamstring injury sustained in Week 13. After missing one game, he returned to play the last three, averaging a 64% snap share despite the lingering issue. This week, Bosa’s practice participation followed a DNP–DNP–Limited pattern, signaling he will likely see minimal action or sit out entirely in the Week 18 finale. The extra rest should give him a health boost heading into the playoffs.
DT Jordan Phillips – Ankle
Jordan Phillips remains questionable after missing the last two games with an ankle injury suffered against New England, which now has the hallmarks of a high ankle sprain given the extended time off. He was limited for most of the week in practice but logged a full participation on Friday, a promising sign as Buffalo looks to spread out reps in the Week 18 finale and manage the workload of their defensive front ahead of the playoffs.
Also Listed (Active)
The rest of the Buffalo Bills injury report features several players expected to suit up despite minor issues. Kicker Matt Prater returns from a two-game hiatus with a quad injury on his kicking leg, providing a key early test of his durability heading into the playoffs. Defensive back Cam Lewis (hamstring) and tight end Dawson Knox (knee) are also active, along with a handful of players who missed at least one practice due to illness, including DE AJ Epenesa, FB Reggie Gilliam, DT Deone Walker, and CB Tre’Davious White. Running back James Cook had a single day off for veteran rest but is expected to play, rounding out a group that should be mostly available for the Week 18 finale.
