After a resounding Week 18 win, and a near-perfect finale for the final game at The Ralph as fans call it, the Buffalo Bills got away mostly clean. That is, of course, always the mission right before the playoffs; Winning is important, but health for the actual games is priority #1. Now, the Wild Card round is here, and the Bills are visiting the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Friday injury report for Wild Card Weekend has arrived, as we're going to break it all down right here.
Bills' Week 18 injury report vs. Jets per the Bills' PR X account
QB Josh Allen - Foot
Game Status: AVAILABLE
The QB1, Josh Allen, took a single snap in Week 18 to keep his Iron Man stream alive, handed the ball off, and went for the sidelines. His foot injury has hampered him for three weeks, but for the first time since Cleveland, Allen is practicing fully. The week of rest did him some good, it seems.
With no limitations, and the playoffs here, expect Josh Allen to give everything on Sunday.
LB Terrel Bernard - Calf
Game Status: OUT
Terrel Bernard has struggled with injuries this season, to understate things. This latest calf injury has been difficult, keeping him from the practice field for another week. One of two players ruled out early this week, Bernard will hope to return for the Divisional Round.
S Cole Bishop - Ribs
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Cole Bishop has been flagged a few times this season for minor injuries, but they've hardly hampered him at all. With his latest rib injury, he was a full participant in practice. The young stud safety is ready and active for Sunday's playoff matchup with the Jaguars.
DE Joey Bosa - Hamstring
Game Status: AVAILABLE
The impact of Joey Bosa is one of the only improvements the defense has seen in 2025. The Buffalo Bills have attempted to generate a solid pass-rush for half a decade, but Bosa is as close as they've come to true success.
The hamstring injury didn't keep him off the field in Week 18, simple rest for the postseason did. Getting that rest may have been the difference this week, as Joey Bosa is good to go for Sunday after a full week of practice.
CB Maxwell Hairston - Ankle
Game Status: OUT
The rule for Week 18, when a playoff spot is already secure, is simply 'Don't get hurt'. Rookie mistakes from the rookie, as Maxwell Hairston suffers his second leg injury of the season. The ankle injury isn't a major one, but it will cost him what would have been his first playoff game. Still, McDermott referred to Hairston as week-to-week on Monday. With any luck, the Bills survive into the Divisional Round, and he gets his chance.
S Damar Hamlin - Pectoral
Game Status: IR
Damar Hamlin has been largely forgotten this season, as his role decreased and then he hit the injured reserve. Now, the safety has his return to practice window opened, but hold your horses; On Monday, Sean McDermott stated the team wouldn't be activating any players off injured reserve. Hamlin's return would do no harm, but he isn't ready just yet.
RB Ty Johnson - Ankle
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Initially called day-to-day by Sean McDermott, Ty Johnson didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday. His performance in Week 18's matchup against the Jets was solid, but the injury does put a damper on things. Still, he returned to the game, and should be available for the Wild Card round, but we will have to wait.
DT DaQuan Jones - Calf
Game Status: AVAILABLE
As Wild Card Weekend looms, DaQuan Jones needs to get back on the field. His role has been notable, following the loss of Ed Oliver for the season, and Buffalo needs to improve it's run defense to survive the postseason. With his calf issues, Jones was limited in practice all week, but he is ready to go for Sunday.
TE Dalton Kincaid - Knee
Game Status: AVAILABLE
The Bills used Kincaid for only 10 snaps against the Jets, feeling it was important to put him through his paces. He will be injured for the playoff run, as we knew, and managing it to the best of their abilities is all that can be hoped for. Still, Dalton Kincaid was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday before a solid Friday outing ele
DB Cam Lewis - Toe
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Cam Lewis overcame a hamstring injury to play against the Jets on Sunday. Now, that injury is gone, replaced by a toe ailment. He fully participated, but it's something to watch in a matchup Lewis expects to play a notable role in.
LB Matt Milano - Illness
Game Status: AVAILABLE
It's been a solid year for Matt Milano, who has missed less time than usual. His illness kept him out of practice on Wednesday, but he was a full participant after that and is ready for gameday.
WR Joshua Palmer - Ankle
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Joshua Palmer's ankle injury has hampered him since Week 6, and the Wild Card round is no different. He didn't participate at all during the week, but perhaps rest was more important than rehearsal; He is listed as questionable, despite not stepping on the field all week.
S Jordan Poyer - Hamstring
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Returning players playing key roles has been a theme for the past few seasons, but Jordan Poyer will be doing it one-legged. To avoid hyperbole, however, he stated early this week that he would be ready for Sunday's matchup against the Jaguars. Limited in practice to start, he was ready on Friday, and stays that way.
K Matt Prater - Right Quad
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Matt Prater was sat early during Week 18, having kicked a few extra points in the cold. The team ruled him out with the same right quad injury that had him sidelined the previous two weeks; However, the Bills said it was precautionary. He didn't kick on Wednesday, but his practice schedule had been outlined by McDermott early in the week. He was a full participant on Thursday, but did not practice on Friday.
He is officially questionable for Sunday.
DT Jordan Phillips - Ankle
Game Status: IR
Jordan Phillips season is officially over, though his injury doesn't really call for it. He was placed on the injured reserve, seemingly as a roster management move more than an injury one.
LB Shaq Thompson - Neck
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Shaq Thompson played through his neck injury in Week 18, and suffered no setbacks. He, like much of the rest of the injury report, rested to start the week and attempt to get healthier. Now, he's participating in practice and listed as questionable.
Injury Summary
The Buffalo Bills needed help at cornerback with the loss of Maxwell Hairston this weekend- Setting Jordan Phillips on the injured reserve allowed them to sign CB Dane Jackson to the active roster. It's not an ideal move, but it's their best option right now.
Matt Prater has had health issues to close the season, but the team believed he was good to go for the payoffs. Still, they brought in Matthew Wright on the practice squad for insurance. If Prater has any issues, expect a callup.
If Joshua Palmer is unable to play, Gabe Davis likely picks up his slack. The two play similar roles in this offense- Their physical builds and skillset are a match.