The Buffalo Bills entered Week 14 rather beaten up. A physical weekend in the snow against the Bengals somehow yielded better results. The initial injury report came back cleaner than anything since pre-season. After a week of practice- and going against the well-rested New England Patriots- we're taking an in-depth look.
The Friday injury report is in. Let's break it down.
Bills' Week 15 injury report vs. Patriots per the Bills' PR X account
CB Christian Benford - Toe
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Wednesday's practice came and went like any other. For the Thursday edition, Benford cropped up late in the day with a toe injury, and was seen in a small walking boot. McDermott spoke to the media Friday morning, stating that it was a normal practice injury, implying a minor sprain.
He did not practice on Friday, and Sean McDermott said his status is currently unknown for Sunday. He did however believe it will not be a long-term injury. Benford is a true questionable designation, with no further insight available into his status.
LB Terrel Bernard - Elbow
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Losing Terrel Bernard was tough to swallow, but Shaq Thompson and the LB rotation have played admirably in his absence. He made progress this week, returning to practice in a limited capacity from his elbow injury against the Texans. He is questionable, but likely needs one more week to recover.
S Cole Bishop - Calf
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Cole Bishop briefly hit the deck with a minor calf injury against the Bengals in Week 14. He had no limitations in practice, but did receive treatment. He will be active, and a critical player in Buffalo's secondary.
DE Joey Bosa - Hamstring/Wrist
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Following his first missed game of the season, Joey Bosa returned to practice on Wednesday. Originally considered 'week-to-week' by Sean McDermott, Bosa has quickly recovered. He was a full participant for Friday's practice and is available for Sunday.
OT Spencer Brown - Shoulder
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Spencer Brown's shoulder injury suffered against the Houston Texans turned the powerhouse right tackle into a turnstile. He missed two games, against the Steelers and Bengals, having been deemed 'questionable' for the latter. He was trending up all week, and practiced fully on Friday. Now, Brown is set to make his return, and he'll certainly be needed.
TE Dalton Kincaid - Knee
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Though Dalton Kincaid had a slower-than-expected recovery, including a setback last week with a knee injury, his return to the field on Sunday against the Bengals was triumphant. His hamstring injury has been removed from his report, and any treatment for his injured knee didn't stop him participating in practice fully.
TE Dawson Knox - Personal
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Tight end Dawson Knox took an unspecified personal day on Wednesday, but had no limitations in practice. He is good to go.
WR Joshua Palmer - Knee/Ankle
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Buffalo had hoped to get more from Joshua Palmer in 2025, but injuries have massively derailed the receiver's season. His latest setback, still recovering from the injury he suffered in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, derailed him for two more games, but he could return for this one. It's a hope, though, as opposed to an expectation. He is questionable, but unlikely.
QB Mitchell Trubisky - Illness
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Following an ordinary Wednesday practice, Trubisky missed Thursday with an illness. It's that time of year, and there are players all across the league with this or that. As of now, Mitch is active and available.
Injury Summary
If the Buffalo Bills miss out on Christian Benford, they should expect a shootout. The Patriots took advantage of a weak Bills' secondary in Week 5, but the Christian Benford of late would be a game-changer in that area. If he cannot go, Maxwell Hairston will step into the CB1 role, with Tre'Davious White and others playing the other half of the field.
Neither the losses of Bernard or Palmer would make a catastrophic difference in ths matchup. Buffalo has learned to create success without them in recent weeks, and Sunday would be no different. They both elevate their respective position groups, but their potential absences are not game-wrecking.