The Buffalo Bills are as close to securing their spot in the NFL playoffs as they are to Entering Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buffalo Bills were battered beyond belief. Just under a week post-game, and things look different, though not necessarily better. .
The Friday injury report is in, and it's not one to look forward to. Let's break it down.
Bills' Week 14 injury report vs. Bengals per the Bills' PR X account
QB Josh Allen - Right Elbow
Game Status: ACTIVE
Josh Allen took a beating from the Houston Texans just two weeks ago. His right elbow was injured on a two-yard rush, but he played the full game and was a full participant the entire following week. Allen played Pittsburgh in Week 13, and has been off the injury report since.
LB Terrel Bernard - Elbow
Game Status: OUT
As Terrel Bernard went down against Houston, Bills fans were worried to could be a long-term issue, hampering or ending his role in a postseason push. As he finished the game on the sidelines in a sling, those worries were reinforced. After missing Week 13 against the Steelers, Bernard did not practice at all and will be inactive again. Fans can only hope he returns to battle the New England Patriots in Week 15.
DE Joey Bosa - Hamstring/Wrist
Game Status: OUT
Joey Bosa was all but finished recovering from his wrist injury, but a new problem arises. In total, Sean McDermott said Bosa is 'week-to-week' with his new hamstring injury. The hope is to be on the shorter end, but hamstring injuries have derailed several of the Bills most important players this season. Hamstrings are rarely injuries overcome between two games, and Bosa will miss this week, at minimum.
OT Spencer Brown - Shoulder
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
After missing Steelers week, both through practice and the game itself, Spencer Brown was back to being a limited participant in practice all week. This progress is encouraging, as Brown is critical to the success of the Bills' powerhouse offensive line, but shoulder injuries are tricky for linemen; More so for tackles. As Brown works his way back, he may need this week to rest. If not, expect a gameplan that considers his sudden lack of strength. Officially, he is questionable.
OT Dion Dawkins - Concussion
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Dion Dawkins missed Week 13 with a concussion, but the Bills stellar offensive gameplan for Pittsburgh kept his absence to a minimal impact. That plan won't work twice, and Dawkins has been Josh Allen's trusted blind side for eight seasons. Fortunately, Dawkins returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, and was fully ready by Friday. He is officially active for Sunday after clearing concussion protocol.
DE A.J. Epenesa - Foot
Game Status: AVAILABLE
A surprising Thursday addition to the injury report, Epenesa missed practice with a brand-new foot injury. Mid-week injuries leading to non-participation consistently mean inactivity on Sunday. Miracles do happen, however, as Epenesa dodged a bullet en route to practicing on Friday. He will be active for Week 14.
FB Reggie Gilliam - Knee
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Reggie Gilliam is critical to the Buffalo Bills' run game, observed league-wide this season. His knee injury, suffered against the Texans on Thursday Night Football, didn't slow him down last week at practice, nor this week. Gilliam was a full participant and will be active on Sunday.
TE Jackson Hawes - Back
Game Status: AVAILABLE
The Bills hit gold on rookie TE Jackson Hawes; Luckily they won't be without him on Sunday. Hawes tweaked his back against the Steelers in Week 13, but was a full participant all week regardless. He is ready to go.
TE Dalton Kincaid - Hamstring/Knee
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Dalton Kincaid has had a longer recovery from his hamstring injury than the team had hoped. Though Kincaid was questionable against the Steelers, he was ruled out pre-game. Since then, he has suffered a new knee injury, setting him back somewhat. He remained limited in practice, as the Bills used their final practice squad elevation on TE Keleki Latu, implying they wouldn't need the young backup against the Bengals. Following Kincaid's knee injury, there are fresh doubts. Kincaid is officially questionable against the Bengals.
DT Phidarian Mathis - Shoulder
Game Status: AVAILABLE
Phidarian Mathis was available to make his return after missing Week 11 and 12 with a shoulder injury. He was a healthy scratch for Week 13, but is available and off the injury report.
WR Joshua Palmer - Knee/Ankle
Game Status: DOUBTFUL
Joshua Palmer's setback kept him off the field against the Steelers on Sunday, but he was expected to return against the Bengals. Now, the waters are murky. McDermott spoke to the press on Wednesday, and was asked about Palmer.
""I don't know if it's been a setback as much as just overall- he’s not in the best place right now, just in terms of his body and his injuries he was dealing with, he's still dealing with them""Sean McDermott
It doesn't sound optimistic, as Palmer failed to participate in practice all week. As is so often the case with week-long non-participants, another game on the sidelines is to be expected for Palmer.
DT T.J. Sanders - Wrist
Game Status: AVAILABLE
T.J. Sanders has been dealing with injuries since the season began, but this one seems to be minor. His knee injury, which landed him on injured reserve, has healed, and his wrist issue won't keep him off the field. He was actively practicing all week, and is ready for gameday.
Injury Summary
The Bills injuries have been intense this season, and losing Terrel Bernard and Joey Bosa before this stretch is uncomfortable. Bosa is second in snaps on the defensive line this season, at 64.5%, just behind Greg Rousseau. Buffalo is lucky to have A.J. Epenesa avoid a major injury, and they will likely raise Morgan Fox off the practice squad to fill the space.
Joshua Palmer is unlikely to play, so Buffalo will need more from the newly-signed Brandin Cooks and the tumultuous Keon Coleman. This offense may need help keeping up with the Bengals elite passing game, someone will have to step up.
Buffalo was fortunate to sign veteran LB Shaq Thompson this season; He's been phenomenal in every role he's been asked to play. This week, against Cincinnati, his role can't be overstated. Terrel Bernard is lucky to miss this one.