The Buffalo Bills are visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers for an inter-AFC clash with massive playoff implications. The Bills are limping into the game, already laden with injuries from before their Thursday Night Football loss to Houston. Now, things have only gotten worse. Again.
After a nightmare of a Friday injury report, Buffalo is in for a tough Sunday.
Bills' Week 13 injury report vs. Steelers per the Bills' PR X account
QB Josh Allen - Right Elbow
Game Status: ACTIVE
Josh Allen was eaten alive by the Texans defense on Thursday. Houston brought him down 8 times, the most of any game in Allen's career. It was not one of these sacks, but a tackle from behind as he crossed the line of scrimmage that had NFL fans worried. Allen went to the ground in clear pain and was quickly treated for a right elbow injury.
Allen returned to the game, and has practiced in full all week. He's active on Sunday, but the status of his throwing arm may be in doubt.
LB Terrel Bernard - Elbow
Game Status: OUT
Just when Terrel Bernard started looking like himself against Tampa Bay, he goes down on a short week against the Houston Texans. His ankle has healed, seemingly at the cost of his elbow. He left the field quickly and did not return to the game. His arm was suspended in a sling before the final whistle, and he did not participate in practice for Week 13. He was ruled out early on Friday.
DE Joey Bosa - Wrist
Game Status: ACTIVE
Joey Bosa is recovering well from his wrist injury. It did hamper him for a while, as he played with it clubbed, but Bosa has suffered no setbacks. He will be ready after practicing all week.
OT Spencer Brown - Shoulder
Game Status: OUT
The Bills offensive line took a beating last week, and it showed. They were outplayed, manhandled, and beaten both mentally and physically over and over again. Allen took his lumps as a result, and the offense was thwarted. Spencer Brown was egregiously poor, having arguably the worst game of the stud RT's career. He suffered a right shoulder injury partway through, and returned to the game with a brace, but was ineffective and sat out their final drives.
In practice this week, Brown failed to participate and was ruled out early on Friday.
OT Dion Dawkins - Concussion
Game Status: OUT
On a regular Sunday to Sunday week, Dion Dawkins' concussion would have definitively sidelined him for Week 13. The Bills benefit from the extended rest, which they sorely need. Sadly, Dion didn't have enough time, and didn't clear protocol in time to start on Sunday. The Bills will be missing both of their tackles against a powerful Steelers defensive line.
FB Reggie Gilliam - Knee
Game Status: ACTIVE
Reggie Gilliam saw extended work on Thursday Night Football, and paid for it with a knee injury suffered in-game. It's nothing major; He was a full participant in the first practice of the week, following only five days rest. Still, Gilliam has been essential to the Bills' success in the run game. Using him sparingly may be on the table.
OT Tylan Grable - Concussion
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
The Bills activated the return to practice window for backup OT Tylan Grable to start this week. It was a necessary move following the injuries to both the Bills key starters at the position. Both are unable to go, so Grable will certainly be elevated to the active roster.
CB Maxwell Hairston - Concussion
Game Status: ACTIVE
Maxwell Hairston left the game against Houston last week to be evaluated for a concussion, and did not return. The rookie CB has been dealing with concussion protocol since, but did participate in practice all week. His game status is not in doubt and he will be active.
DT DaQuan Jones - Illness
Game Status: ACTIVE
Bills DT DaQuan Jones missed Wednesday's practice with an unspecified illness, but returned on Thursday. He has no limitations and is ready to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
TE Dalton Kincaid - Hamstring
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Three weeks into Dalton Kincaid's hamstring injury, and the top tight end may still not be ready. Though Kincaid was expected to return in 2-6 weeks, he didn't make it back to the field until Thursday, where he was a limited participant. He practiced in part on Friday, and is officially a true questionable designation for Sunday.
DT Phidarian Mathis - Shoulder
Game Status: ACTIVE
Phidarian Mathis is coming off his second-consecutive missed game as he recovers from the shoulder injury he sustained against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10. He was close to playing against the Houston Texans, but ultimately was inactive. He trends up this week, and is officially active.
WR Joshua Palmer - Knee/Ankle
Game Status: QUESTIONABLE
Joshua Palmer's knee is better, but his ankle has always been the larger issue. He suffered a minor setback midweek and went from limited to a non-participant. By Friday, he was limited again, and is now questionable for Sunday.
WR Curtis Samuel - Elbow/Neck
Game Status: IR
Curtis Samuel will miss his second consecutive week following a hard fall on a clutch catch against the Buccaneers. He took a strong impact to the head area and did not practice this week. At the week's end, he was placed on injured reserve. The Bills signed WR Gabe Davis from the practice squad to fill the roster spot.
Injury Summary
The Buffalo Bills will have a problem on Sunday, asking Josh Allen to go up against the Steelers' nightmare defensive line without his star offensive tackles. It's far from ideal. Tylan Grable is set to be activated off the injured reserve, and Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark will get their work too.
The Bills' latest addition at WR, Brandin Cooks, will see some work. The Joshua Palmer and Curtis Samuel injuries, and Keon Coleman's possible inactivity, make for a hole that someone has to fill. Cooks is that player. Whatever he leaves, Gabe Davis now takes.
Missing your middle linebacker is never good, but Joe Andressen, Shaq Thompson, and Dorian Williams are all solid contributors behind him. If Buffalo struggles significantly in this game, it will be on offense.
Dalton Kincaid's possible return would be a boon for the Bills. The stud TE plays a major role in their offense, blocking downfield and getting open in the short area to give Josh Allen a consistent outlet. If he's back, Buffalo's quick passing game opens up; Allen's life becomes much easier.