The Buffalo Bills are once again playing a divisional game as the regular season winds down here in Week 17. This week’s opponent is the 4-11 New York Jets, a preseason Super Bowl contender that ultimately fired the head coach, fired the general manager, and absolutely cratered.
The Bills on the other hand exceeded all expectations at 12-3 and with a win, secures the number two seed in the AFC playoffs. The ultimate goal is to stay healthy and get to the playoffs where the true reward is. The Bills are one of the healthiest teams in the league with only one player on injured reserve in Baylon Spector. Securing a win and avoiding injury is the most important thing heading into this game.
Below are the detailed injury reports for each team along with projected inactives and final thoughts.
Buffalo Bills Injury Report
QUESTIONABLE
S Damar Hamlin (Rib)
Hamlin has missed the last two games dealing with a rib injury after originally being on the report for a back injury following the Week 14 loss to the Rams. He played in 100 percent of defensive snaps and 21 percent of special teams.
I haven’t found where he injured the rib, but the rib issue did crop up in practice the Thursday before Week 15. This may be a cartilage issue that is requiring more time to recover and the Bills want to ensure it heals fully for the playoffs. There aren’t many other possibilities of what it could be.
One interesting note, the severity of this rib injury caught the Bills by surprise according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. He outright states that there is a higher chance of Rapp playing over Hamlin which implies that he saw something Thursday that Hamlin isn’t quite ready. Based off that information, it sounds like Hamlin will sit one more week.
DB Cam Lewis (Shoulder)
Lewis is a new addition to the injury report this week. He appeared in 99 percent of defensive snaps and secured his first interception on Sunday. It’s not clear his injury from looking at film, but it’s worth noting that he was on the injury report back prior to Week 10 with a shoulder issue. It’s possible this latest appearance is an aggravation of the prior issue which makes this injury worth watching.
S Taylor Rapp (Neck)
Rapp has missed the last two games due to a neck injury originally suffered back against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. He was able to play in the following game against the Rams, his former team but was limited before being ruled out. He did not wear a red non-contact jersey last week but still was out.
It’s difficult to discern the exact neck issue without more information such as a physical exam or any reports of symptoms. He does not have a history of neck issues but this one will be one to watch for flare-ups. The hope is that this is not a disc issue causing pain/numbness down his arm. As mentioned above, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic noted that he expects Rapp to play over Hamlin.
WR Curtis Samuel (Rib)
Samuel missed last week with a rib injury after injuring it late in the second quarter against the Lions before returning. Whether this was a rib fracture or cartilage damage, the Bills felt they could afford to have him sit out last week to get him ready for the playoffs.
Considering his lack of production this year, he can afford to sit another week if he’s not 100 percent.
ACTIVE
QB Josh Allen (Right Elbow/Right Shoulder)
Allen was placed on the injury report after all this week due to his right elbow contusion and right shoulder injury suffered the week prior against the Detroit Lions. Below are the plays where Allen injured both areas.
It’s important to note that he practiced in full all week, indicating that he is receiving some sort of treatment in the area. He is potentially getting some manual therapy and corrective exercises for his shoulder to ensure proper throwing mechanics. This happened last year when he had to alter his throwing mechanics following his AC joint sprain. At worst, he has a Grade 1 AC joint sprain that requires some treatment.
As for his elbow, there may be a bruise, which requires some modalities to reduce any residual swelling in the area. The nerve may require some nerve glides which are minor stretches to the nerves that promote mobility and reduce irritation to the area. They are also possibly assessing his UCL which is the same elbow that he injured back in 2022 to ensure no changes.
We know Josh Allen will play through anything, especially with the news that he was playing through a broken left hand earlier this year. He stated on Thursday that he was sore but he’s good. The Bills are likely doing their due diligence in providing any possible rehab treatment for any player as they prepare for the playoffs.
OT Spencer Brown (Neck)
Brown is still working through a neck injury sustained late in the fourth quarter against the Lions when he looked to initially suffer a stinger. He was initially assessed for a concussion which a stinger can initiate a head check, but he was cleared and practiced in full all week. This was still the case this week where he requires treatment to the area but is able to practice.
DT DeWayne Carter (Right Wrist)
Carter is still recovering from his Week 7 wrist injury where he required surgery to repair a ligament in his wrist. He missed four games and five weeks before returning to play although missed last week as a healthy scratch.
CB Rasul Douglas (Left Knee)
Douglas was able to return to practice as a full participant this week after missing the last two games due to a left knee injury suffered against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14. Cooper Kupp had fallen on his left knee while Douglas was covering him in the end zone.
Despite saying he was good to play last week, the Bills held him out, likely to ensure that he can be healthy for the playoffs. He was forced to play through a significant left MCL sprain through the playoffs last year and this is the same knee. Even though he will return this week, I still expect the Bills to monitor his workload and make sure that he doesn’t have any setbacks. This could be done through platooning with Kaiir Elam or someone else to get them more reps.
TE Dalton Kincaid (Left Knee)
Kincaid continues to work back from his left PCL sprain suffered against the Indianapolis Colts after missing three games and four weeks. He is wearing a hinged knee brace although appears to be playing close to normal.
He spoke to Ryan O’Halloran of The Buffalo News about playing with the brace stating how much he hates it but that once he starts playing, he forgets about it.
P Sam Martin (Back)
Martin was a new addition to the injury report this week with a back designation. Looking at the film, there isn’t many instances where he could have been injured. He punted four times and held for field goals four more times. He didn’t make any contact with anyone during a tackle from what could be observed.
Considering the one legged hopping he is required to do punting, he may have some irritation to his SI joint which may explain the back issues. He could be getting adjusted and still able to practice once the pain is removed.
LB Matt Milano (Left Biceps/Groin)
Milano missed last week with a groin injury after leaving late in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions. This was smart management by the team to hold him out to avoid the injury from lingering especially with the cold weather. However, I had thought he would have at least been active as he moved alright at practice last week and would have needed Baylon Spector to sit out due to his calf injury that he is back on injured reserve.
On average, players miss just under a game for a groin strain according to historical averages which means Milano has a realistic chance at playing this week.
TE Quintin Morris (Right Shoulder/Groin)
Morris still requires regular treatment for his groin injury suffered back in Week 13, forcing him to miss the following week. He still requires treatment for his right shoulder injury from the preseason which will likely require surgery in the offseason.
DT Jordan Phillips (Back)
Philips is back on the injury report with a back issue but able to practice in full. It’s not clear how he injured the back but he does have a history of back issues in 2021 and 2023. He missed five games in 2021 but missed zero in 2023.
This may be a more chronic issue at this point and more prevalent as he gets older.
DE Dawuane Smoot (Right Wrist)
Smoot returned to play in Week 15 after tearing two ligaments in his right wrist back in Week 9 and undergoing surgery. There are a ton of great nuggets of info in Nick Sabato’s article below that specified that he had the same injury back in 2018 and that they used artificial ligaments to help with the healing process. However, it’s not clarified which ligaments were damaged. It’s possible that he injured his scapholunate ligament was repaired along with stabilizing the other ligament which allowed a more complete return to function.
LB Dorian Williams (Left Elbow)
Williams played last week after suffering a left elbow injury that appeared to be a hyperextension against the Lions in Week 15. He returned this week with a hinged elbow brace and played quite well, especially when he was asked to play all defensive snaps once Baylon Spector went out with his calf injury. Before that, he was platooning with Spector to avoid putting too much work on either player’s plate.
One additional note, Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com noted in his podcast that Williams indicated that this is an injury that has been lingering for a while now. Matt is historically accurate in his reporting which means this is new information. He has not been on the injury report prior for the elbow.
New York Jets Injury Report
QUESTIONABLE
DL Quinnen Williams (Hamstring)
Williams missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury after not being able to practice all week. Early this week, the thought was that Williams could play against Buffalo.
CB Sauce Gardner (Hamstring)
Gardner is back on the injury report after suffering a hamstring injury back in Week 13 which forced him to miss Week 14. He was able to return to play last week but appeared only in 44 percent of snaps which indicates that he aggravated the injury as he was questionable to return during the game. He was unable to practice all week and I don’t expect him to play.
WR Davante Adams (Hip)
Adams is a surprise addition to the injury report this week with a hip issue after securing 7 receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown while playing in 97 percent of snaps. He was able to get a limited practice in Friday and is questionable.
СВ Michael Carter II (Back)
Carter is still dealing with a herniated disc dating back to Week 5 and missed last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
DL Braiden McGregor (Ankle)
McGregor was a new entry on the injury report seeing 12 snaps on defense and six more on special teams.
OL Morgan Moses (Left Knee)
Moses has been battling a left knee injury all season since suffering the injury back in Week 3. He has been battling a Grade 2 MCL sprain, meniscus tear, and small fracture within the knee. After initially missing two games, he has appeared in every game and has also been limited by a left wrist injury suffered in warmups before Week 14.
K Greg Zuerlein (Left Knee)
Zuerlein is questionable with a left knee injury but expected to play once he is activated from injured reserve where he has been since Week 8.
S Tony Adams (Ankle)
Adams is a new entry to the injury report after suffering an ankle injury during the second half of Sunday’s game.
DL Haason Reddick (Neck)
Reddick is a new addition to the injury report with a neck issue and was limited during the early portion of the week. He looked to tweak the neck during Sunday’s game as he required a brief trip to the injury tent.
He was also on the injury report for a neck issue heading into Week 9 but has not missed any games.
ACTIVE
OL John Simpson (Calf)
Simpson is working through a calf injury as a new addition to the injury report.
OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (Ankle)
AVT has been battling a high-ankle injury all season dating back to Week 7, initially missing two games before returning to play in Week 9.
QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Knee)
Rodgers suffered a left MCL sprain as seen in the video below and he later confirmed it on Tuesday.
As this is his front leg when throwing, some of his passes may sail high and he will have more trouble with pocket mobility. His offensive line is falling apart which means the defensive line could feast on Rodgers come Sunday.
INJURED RESERVE
OT Ola Fashanu (Plantar Fasciitis)
Fashanu suffered a foot injury late in Sunday’s loss and was quickly ruled out. On Tuesday, it was announced that he suffered a plantar fascia injury but would not require surgery to repair the damage. He likely partially tore the plantar fascia but it wasn’t significant enough to require surgical repair.
DL Leki Fotu (Knee)
Fotu is working through a knee injury on injured reserve and would need to be activated to the roster.
Buffalo Bills Projected Inactives
S Damar Hamlin
WR Curtis Samuel
OT Tylan Grable
CB Kaiir Elam
LB Nick Morrow
DT DeWayne Carter
DE Casey Toohill
Call Up: WR KJ Hamler, DE Casey Toohill
New York Jets Projected Inactives
OL Jake Hanson
CB Sauce Gardner
OL Xavier Newman
CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
WR Malachi Corley
Final Thoughts
I said it last week and I’ll say it again. The Bills have to go out and take care of business. The Jets want to be a thorn in the Bills side, make them play for one more week, and steal a divisional win. Should the Bills win this week, they can’t rest every starter next week, but they can elevate two players from the practice squad and start as many backups as they can.
Here’s to a healthy game and a pseudo bye heading into Week 18.
Top Photo Credit: Q-Collar
