The Buffalo Bills made a big move ahead of free agency, trading for Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore. The Bills also received a 2026 fifth round draft pick and gave away this year’s second round draft pick.
Moore comes to the Bills after three years in Chicago and five years prior to that in Carolina. Throughout his career, he has topped 1000 yards five times and topped 90 catches three games with a variety of different quarterbacks. However, Moore is coming off season lows in yards and receptions.
As part of the trade, the Bills had to restructure the contract which means Moore’s contract is guaranteed for the next three years.
Despite the financial commitment, Moore has been available more often than not throughout his career.
Read below for a comprehensive injury review of DJ Moore and analysis.
Injury History
2018 Carolina Panthers
No publicly reported injuries.
2019 Panthers
Ankle/Personal, Week 12, missed 0 games.
Moore was limited early in the week on Wednesday due to an ankle injury before leaving practice for the birth of his child. He was able to practice in full the remainder of the week.
Concussion, Week 16, missed 1 game.
Moore took a hit in the first quarter of the Week 16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and did not return. He was unable to practice all week and was ruled out for the season finale.
2020 Panthers
Shoulder, Week 10, missed 0 games.
COVID, Week 14, missed 1 game.
Moore was placed on the COVID/Reserve list ahead of Week 14 and missed one game.
2021 Panthers
Hamstring, Week 14, missed 0 games.
Moore battled through a hamstring strain that had him designated as day-to-day and was questionable the following two weeks but his snap count was not affected.
2022 Panthers
Shoulder, Week 5, missed 0 games.
Ankle, Week 14, missed 0 games.
Moore went for an MRI to assess the seriousness of his ankle injury which was later described as nothing serious and considered day-to-day.
2023 Chicago Bears
Right Ankle, Week 14, missed 0 games.
Moore suffered a right ankle injury early in the third quarter of the Week 14 contest. He was questionable the following game and played.
Right High-Ankle, Week 17, missed 0 games.
Per my colleague Dr. David Chao reported that Moore suffered a right high-ankle sprain on a hip drop tackle. He didn’t do much the rest of that game, securing 3 receptions for 18 yards but went off for 9 receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown the following week.
2024 Bears
Quadriceps, Week 14, missed 0 games.
Despite being questionable heading into the game with a quad strain, Moore still suited up against the 49ers and had 6 receptions for 49 yards.
2025 Bears
Abdomen/Groin, Week 1, missed 0 games.
Hip/Groin, Week 6, missed 0 games.
Moore was forced to take an ambulance and stay overnight at a Washington DC area hospital for further evaluation of a groin injury but was released the following day and considered day-to-day. There were never any additional details provided but it’s possible he had trauma to his testicles. He spent the next three weeks until Week 10 on the injury report.
Left Shoulder, Week 10, missed 0 games.
Moore took a hard tackle over the middle and landed hard on his left shoulder, missing the remainder of the second quarter before returning. It’s possible he suffered an AC joint sprain.
Illness, Week 17, missed 0 games.
Knee, Week 18, missed 0 games.
Moore popped up on the injury report with a knee ailment prior to the Wild Card game against the Packers before playing through it and appearing on the report the following week in the loss to the Rams.
Buffalo Bills Injury Analysis
DJ Moore has missed 2 games in his career, one game due to a concussion in 2019 and COVID in 2020. He has not missed a game since 2020 either which is impressive considering he suffered what looked to be a high-ankle sprain in 2023, an AC joint sprain in 2024, and undisclosed groin trauma in 2025.
Most of his injuries appear to be isolated and not occurring more than once outside of ankle and shoulder injuries which are not all that surprising given the positional demands. He did battle through his hip/groin injuries this season that suggest he may have been dealing with a core muscle injury, but there are no public reports that he underwent a core muscle repair this offseason.
Injury wise, I can’t find much I don’t like. This is a good player that is consistently available and can stepped up when called upon. However, that groin issue certainly caused a decline in production this year. The hope is that he is fully healthy this offseason and rebounds for another 1000 yard season.
Despite the injuries, he shows up and plays no matter what and still has big games even when injured, rising to the occasion. I would want to make sure his groin issues are healthy but even if they require surgery, there aren’t concerns moving forward along with a quick return.
Moore reminds me of Amari Cooper when he was traded to the Bills in 2024. Another receiver with a lot of injuries but played through everything. The difference is that Moore is less injured and two years younger than when Cooper signed and still appears to have some football left in him.
The only thing I don’t like is his guaranteed contract through 2028 should he become injured. Typically the best predictor of injury is past injury, but Moore has shown he will play through nearly anything, much like Josh Allen. We can’t predict injuries and nothing in his history is concerning for eventual problems. I’d just hate to be stuck with a player who is out for an extended time due to major injury.
Final Thoughts
Health wise, this is a great signing but from a financial aspect, we have to make DJ Moore work for the next three years as a productive wide receiver in order for this contract to work. His past suggests he will be able to live up to this, but the salary guarantees aren’t ideal should something unforeseen happen.
I would like to welcome DJ Moore to Buffalo and to remain healthy this season.
Top Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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