Since Week 2, Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore has been dealing with a shoulder injury that he suffered against the Detroit Lions in the first half. Fans had thought that with the way he landed on his shoulder, that it was going to be a potentially long-term injury. Luckily, it wasn’t anything severe as it was just an AC joint sprain. It was the best-case scenario.
He has been dealing with the injury since then. In Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had left the field a couple of times to attend to his shoulder on the sideline. Then in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, he couldn't finish the game overall because of re-injuring it. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the injury wasn't considered long-term "as of right now."
That's not exactly encouraging moving forward and it makes you think that it would be in Moore's and Buffalo's best interest to let him rest. Quite frankly, he should have never played against the Chargers so that he couldn't have been resting it.
DJ Moore's toughness is unquestioned (but Joe Brady has to do what's best long-term)
The last time that Moore missed a start in the NFL was back in 2020 when he was with the Carolina Panthers. Since then, he has played in every single game. That's almost unheard of with a wide receiver. However, the Bills would be wise to keep him sidelined in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams, but it doesn't seem like Joe Brady will take that approach right now.
Brady spoke with the media the Thursday and he talked about Moore's injury, but mentioned how if "he [Moore] feels he's healthy enough to play, he owes it to the WR to let him be out there." per Jon Scott of WGRZ.
Joe Brady says if DJ Moore feels he’s healthy enough to play, he owes it to the WR to let him be out there.
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) October 8, 2026
Brady adds he knows how Moore elevates offense.#Bills HC also notes upcoming bye week as time he could get extra rest.
Bills need to rest DJ Moore against Rams to let him rest
It's no good for the Bills to let Moore suit up if he just hurts his shoulder again. It happened last Sunday against the Patriots, and the offense had to pivot (and they clearly didn't do it well). Not to mention, Keon Coleman has stepped up when Moore hasn't been on the field, so why not give him more opportunities?
The Bills have a couple days to evaluate Moore as they don't play until Monday night, but they have to strongly consider the season overall rather than just this game. It's better to have Moore miss one game if it means he's fully healthy moving forward. If Brady lets Moore suit up and he isn't near 100% healthy, it could be a big time mistake for the Bills as the season progresses.
Add us as a preferred source on Google