When the Buffalo Bills faced the Browns, their injury report was looking better than it has in quite some time. Though there were some dings, including the scary injury Josh Allen suffered in the first half, everything still seemed to work out alright. Yet things are not perfect, and the Week 17 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles is upon us.
After a weird, festive week of non-practice, things are murky. The Friday injury report is in, and we're going to break it down.
Bills' Week 17 injury report vs. Browns per the Bills' PR X account
QB Josh Allen - Foot
Game Status: AVAILABLE
When Josh Allen left Week 16's matchup against the Browns, fans feared the worst. Fortunately, the worst never came. He returned, though perhaps slightly hobbled, and won an uncomfortable game uncomfortably.
He had his foot treated during the week, but was up-front in his first media appearance about the fact he would be playing. For QB1, it was never truly in doubt.
CB Christian Benford - Toe
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Christian Benford returned for Week 16, and played excellently. He is off the injury report for Week 17, and has no limitations.
S Cole Bishop - Ribs
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Cole Bishop was a surprise addition, though he practiced in his entirety for the week. His rib injury seems unlikely to hinder him, and he's ready for Sunday.
DE Joey Bosa - Hamstring
Game Status: AVAILABLE
The injury bug has plagued Joey Bosa as of late, this time with a hamstring. Still, he hit the cycle in practice, going from a non-participant to a limited player to a fully active starter. Despite his issues, Bosa has been a competitor all season, and is ready for Week 17.
RB Ray Davis - Knee
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Ray Davis has quickly become one of the NFL's premier kick returners. His speed isn't amongst the cream of the crop, but his vision and decision making have been top-tier.
He suffered a minor knee injury against the Browns last week, but is hasn't slowed him down. A full participant in practice this week, Davis is ready to go.
CB Taron Johnson - Quad
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Taron Johnson continues to deal with a quad injury that has haunted him for a few weeks. He has been limited in practice through the Bills' walkthrough Wednesday and day off Thursday, but was rearing to go on Friday. Taron is willing and able.
DT DaQuan Jones - Calf
Game Status: OUT
The Bills DT rotation remains rather thin, with DaQuan Jones suffering a setback in practice and staying off the field all week.
He is out for Sunday, and will be missed after a couple big games lately.
TE Dalton Kincaid - Knee
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Much like last week, Kincaid's injury management has been something of an oddity. His knee injury has been less than ideal, but on the whole he remains a key contributor as he recovers. Bar for bar, he copied Week 16's practice schedule and is questionable for Sunday against the Eagles.
TE Dawson Knox - Knee
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Dawson Knox was a limited participant after missing Wednesday and Thursday, the non-practices, with his knee injury. The lone actual Bills practice this week saw Knox elevated to a limited role and designated as questionable.
DB Cam Lewis - Hamstring
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Cam Lewis didn't miss Week 16 with his hamstring injury, and won't miss this one either. He was fully practicing by the end of the week, and has no limits for Sunday.
S Jordan Poyer - Hamstring
Game Status: OUT
A new and worrisome injury, Jordan Poyer went down with a hamstring issue. The secondary is a well-oiled machine with him in the lineup, and Cole Bishop is a better football player. Poyer being out for Sunday creates some issues that the Bills will need to address.
T Chase Lundt - Knee
Game Status: IR
Lundt hit the injured reserve for a second time, ending his rookie season. He was designated to that spot ahead of the game against Cleveland.
K Matt Prater - Right Quad
Game Status: OUT
Matt Prater is missed, having watched Michael Badgley botch a costly extra point attempt in his second attempt of the day. He will miss another week without practicing; Hopefully those are the only missed we're discussing come Monday morning.
DT Jordan Phillips - Ankle
Game Status: OUT
Jordan Phillips failed to practice once again this week. His ankle injury seems significant, and it would be surprising to seem him again during the regular season. With just over two weeks until the playoffs, here's to a good recovery.
LB Shaq Thompson - Neck
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Shaq Thompson is a very good linebacker for the Bills, and his injury will not force him to miss any more time. He bounced back well and participated completely in practice on Friday. He has no designation, and will be active.
Injury Summary
As encouraging as it is to see Terrel Bernard off this injury report after so much time, Shaq Thompson's presence has been invaluable. Losing him early against the Browns was a difference maker. With them both seemingly healthy now, Buffalo can return to the linebacker rotation of their dreams.
With neither Jordan Phillips nor DaQuan Jones available, the Bills will have no choice but to bump T.J. Sanders back to the interior. He has played a lot of outside snaps to address the pass-rush personnel issues, but not his role will change again.