NFL
Is Josh Allen playing in NFL Thursday Night Football against the Dolphins? Hand injury update
The Bills quarterback landed awkwardly in the Week 1 win over the Cardinals and was seen wearing a protective glove in practice.
The Buffalo Bills got the 2024 NFL season off to a winning start in Week 1, defeating the Arizona Cardinals despite quarterback Josh Allen suffering an injury scare late in the game.
Will Josh Allen play against the Dolphins in Thursday Night Football?
The 28-year-old landed awkwardly on his left hand in the end zone right at the end of a fourth-quarter touchdown run and had to be taped up to complete the game. Immediately afterwards, Allen played down the injury and he has been cleared to play against the Miami Dolphins in NFL Thursday Night Football on September 12 after having an X-ray done. However, the incident has affected him in practice this week, even if only slightly.
It was reported on Tuesday (September 10) that the Bills star had been a full participant in practice, although he was seen playing it safe by wearing a protective glove on his left hand, which is, crucially, his non-throwing hand.
“It’s good, ready to go,” Allen later told reporters. “It’s as comfortable as we can make it. Just trying to be as normal as possible. Felt like I threw it well today and was able to do all the things, so ready to go”.
The Californian then revealed there was a chance he might also wear the glove when the Bills face the Dolphins: “We’ll see. I’ve done it a long time ago. Couple of cold games. So it’s not anything that’s completely new to me but it’s just there for a little extra help.”
Bills quarterback to alter style of play after latest injury
Speaking to the media on Monday, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said the minor issue shouldn’t prevent Allen from taking snaps under center. The player himself, though, has suggested he may start to alter the way he plays in general, partly as a result of the injury-inducing touchdown.
Speaking to ESPN, Allen said: “The first rushing touchdown, I kind of lowered the shoulder, knowing that was a corner. Second time, I knew it was Budda [Baker], and Budda’s a good player and he’ll lay the boom on you, so I decided to go up and over, but probably can’t make a living doing that, but here we are.”
The Bills have previously indicated that their star quarterback might be wise to stop risking taking so many hits during games, a view which Allen himself now appears to agree with.