Buffalo Bills Injury Report: Wild Card Weekend vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The Buffalo Bills Injury Report once again arrives looking like a CVS receipt as Wild Card Weekend kicks off, with the #6 seed Bills (12–5) heading to Jacksonville to face the #3 seed Jaguars (13–4). National media is busy hyping the Jaguars as the healthier, hotter team, complete with Trevor Lawrence flipping his flowing shampoo-commercial hair on every camera cut, but that’s usually right around the time Josh Allen reminds everyone he exists, and that he’s historically been very, very good in the playoffs. Still, all eyes remain on Allen’s foot. While he’s rested, cleared, and expected to play, there’s a natural pause around how well it will hold up once the hits start coming. While Jacksonville enters the postseason relatively intact, Buffalo once again limps into January managing bodies, workloads, and vibes. It’s nothing new for this team, and if history has taught us anything, it’s that the Bills tend to thrive when the odds, and the injury list, are stacked against them.
The Buffalo Bills Injury Report remains predictably bloated heading into Wild Card Weekend, with Buffalo listing three players already ruled OUT. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston, linebacker Terrel Bernard, and safety Damar Hamlin will all miss the trip to Jacksonville, though it’s worth noting Hamlin recently had his 21-day practice window opened as he works his way back from pectoral surgery performed roughly three months ago. The QUESTIONABLE list is just as busy, featuring running backTy Johnson, wide receiver Joshua Palmer, kicker Matt Prater, and linebackerShaq Thompson, creating some late-week roster math for Sean McDermott. In anticipation of potential kicking drama, the Bills signed kicker Matthew Wright to the practice squad as insurance should Prater be unable to go. Add in a still-loaded IR list that includes Ed Oliver, Michael Hoecht, Curtis Samuel, Tyler Bass, Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter, Dorian Strong, Chase Lundt and Taylor Rapp, and once again the Bills enter January not just game-planning an opponent, but managing survival.
Jacksonville enters Wild Card Weekend in near-perfect health, a rarity this late in the season. The Jaguars listed just one player on the injury report, with starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen carrying a QUESTIONABLE designation, and otherwise arrive remarkably intact. The lone blemish is a significant one on injured reserve, as dynamic two-way star Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick who made an impact at both wide receiver and cornerback, remains sidelined. Outside of Hunter’s absence, Jacksonville avoids the usual postseason attrition and comes into this matchup with far fewer health concerns than Buffalo, leaving little mystery about availability and putting the focus squarely on execution rather than survival.
The Franchise
QB Josh Allen – Foot
Josh Allen headlines the Buffalo Bills Injury Report once again, but this week brings encouraging news: after a cautious Week 18 finale where he took only a single snap, Allen went Full participation all week in practice, effectively giving him nearly two full weeks of rest. For the first time in over a month, the Bills’ star quarterback enters the playoffs feeling fully healthy and ready to carry the offense, with workload management no longer a major concern.
The injury first surfaced in Week 16 against the Browns, when Allen experienced a midfoot sprain that caused noticeable discomfort. He then tweaked the same foot against the Eagles the following week, leading to X-rays and careful monitoring. Despite the visible limping and minor aggravation, the scans revealed no structural damage, and head coach Sean McDermott has expressed confidence that the injury remains a low-grade issue rather than anything serious. The Week 18 light workload acted as a built-in recovery period, allowing Allen’s foot to rest and heal fully before the postseason.
From a clinical perspective, low-grade midfoot sprains like Allen’s typically allow an athlete to return to play within one week, while a moderate sprain (Grade 2) can take up to five weeks to fully recover (Osbahr et al.). Allen’s progression fits squarely within the expected recovery timeline, and with no structural damage identified, there’s little reason to believe he’ll be limited once the Bills take the field. The takeaway for fans is clear: Josh Allen is healthy, ready, and as dangerous as ever entering January football.
OUT
LB Terrel Bernard – Calf
Linebacker Terrel Bernard remains OUT for the Buffalo Bills as he continues to recover from a calf injury suffered in Week 17 against the Eagles. Bernard did not participate in practice again this week (DNP) and will not play in the Wild Card matchup. Calf strains like Bernard’s typically require at least two to three weeks of recovery, with more severe tears sometimes taking up to four to six weeks to fully heal (Werner BC et al.). This extra rest gives Bernard the best chance to return closer to full strength if the Bills advance. With backup linebacker Shaq Thompson performing well in his place, the Bills can afford to let Bernard continue his rehab without rushing him back onto the field.
CB Maxwell Hairston – Ankle
Cornerback Maxwell Hairston will be OUT for the Buffalo Bills this week after suffering a high ankle sprain late in last week’s blowout against the Jets, a questionable situation given the game was clearly decided and many wondered why he was even on the field.
Hairston’s injury timeline makes it unlikely he’ll return next week if the Bills advance, as the median return-to-play window for NFL players after a high ankle sprain is around four weeks (Clanton et al., 2000). That said, there is room for optimism later in the postseason; if Buffalo makes it to the AFC Championship or the Super Bowl, Hairston could be back when it really matters.
S Damar Hamlin (IR) – Pectoral
Safety Damar Hamlin had his 21-day practice window opened this week, marking a key step in his recovery from pectoral surgery performed just over three months ago. While he will still miss this week’s Wild Card matchup, the timing of his return to practice is a smart move, allowing the Bills to gradually get him back into game shape in case he’s needed later in the playoffs. Pectoral injuries have shown the ability to return be able to return around three months, specifically when returning for for the playoffs.
QUESTIONABLE
RB Ty Johnson – Ankle
Running back Ty Johnson is listed as QUESTIONABLE for the Buffalo Bills after being rolled up on in the first quarter last week. The mechanism of his injury shares similarities with a high ankle sprain, but there are reasons for optimism. Johnson was able to finish the game, and his weekly snap count typically hovers around 30%, meaning he doesn’t carry a heavy workload. He was limited in practice this week (DNP–DNP–Limited), signaling that the team is taking a cautious approach. Johnson remains a key contributor on third downs, and while his usage may be reduced, there is a strong possibility we’ll see him on the field Sunday in a specialized, limited role.
WR Joshua Palmer – Ankle
Wide receiver Joshua Palmer is listed as QUESTIONABLE for the Buffalo Bills after continued issues with his ankle, an injury that dates back to Week 6.
Palmer originally missed two games, returned for two, then was shut down again for another two weeks before playing the last three contests. Notably, he saw a season-high 84% of snaps in the blowout win against the Jets, which clearly aggravated the injury. Palmer did not participate in practice all week (DNP) and appears likely to miss Sunday’s Wild Card matchup.
LB Shaq Thompson – Neck
Linebacker Shaq Thompson is listed as QUESTIONABLE for the Buffalo Bills, but head coach Sean McDermott has indicated he “should be good to go” for the Wild Card matchup. Thompson originally injured his neck in Week 16 against the Browns, which forced him out of that game. Since then, he’s been active for the past two contests, including 59% of snaps against the Eagles in Week 17, where he gradually shared and eventually took over for Terrel Bernard. He was active in Week 18 but did not play a single down. This week, Thompson practiced limited all week while wearing a red non-contact jersey, a precaution likely designed to keep him fresh and healthy for the playoffs rather than reflecting any serious setback.
K Matt Prater – Right Quad
Kicker Matt Prater is listed as QUESTIONABLE for the Buffalo Bills after dealing with a right quad injury (kicking leg) sustained late in Week 15 against the Patriots. Prater missed the next two games before returning last week, only to be pulled at halftime, a move now being described as precautionary. Kicking on Sunday carries some risk, as any aggravation could leave the Bills without a reliable kicker for the remainder of the game. Practice participation this week followed a DNP–Full–DNP pattern, signaling a cautious approach. To mitigate the risk, the Bills added Matthew Wright to the practice squad as insurance, and it will be interesting to see how they manage kicking duties if Prater’s quad shows any signs of discomfort before the game.
ALSO LISTED (ACTIVE)
Rounding out the Buffalo Bills injury report, several players are listed but expected to play Sunday, including safety Cole Bishop (ribs), defensive end Joey Bosa (hamstring), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf), tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee), defensive back Cam Lewis (toe), linebacker Matt Milano (illness), safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring), and defensive tackle TJ Sanders (shoulder). All are slated to be active, giving the Bills more depth despite lingering minor issues. Unfortunately, fan favorite Jordan Phillips was placed on IR, effectively ending his season due to an ankle injury. If the Bills due advance, they may decide to activate DT Ed Oliver’s practice window, setting up a potential return deep in the playoffs.
