Josh Allen injury update raises new questions ahead of Bills-Broncos playoff clash

The Buffalo Bills received a mixed and potentially concerning injury update on quarterback Josh Allen as they prepare to face the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round on Saturday.

Allen is currently listed with three separate injuries - foot, knee, and finger - but was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, according to Buffalo’s official injury report. While that’s a positive sign on the surface, it’s a bit more complicated heading into the weekend.

Josh Allen practices in full but Bills are banged up

Allen’s ability to practice without limitations is critical for the Bills as the team is dealing with several other injuries across the roster. The reigning MVP absorbed plenty of punishment during last weekend’s physical Wild Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, a game that cost the Bills dearly.

Buffalo lost wide receivers Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers for the season, further thinning an already stretched receiving corps. Shavers remains listed on the injury report but is expected to move to injured reserve with a torn ACL.

Despite the injuries he’s managing, Allen remains the Bills’ most important and durable asset. Still, entering a playoff road game on a short week with three listed injuries is far from ideal.

Bills injury report shows depth being tested

Allen was far from the only Bill on the report Wednesday.

Full participants:

• Josh Allen (foot/knee/finger)
• Damar Hamlin (pectoral)
• Matt Prater (quad/calf)
• Curtis Samuel (elbow)

Limited participants included several key defenders:

• Terrel Bernard (calf)
• A.J. Epenesa (neck)
• Ed Oliver (bicep)
• Dalton Kincaid (knee/calf)
• Matt Milano (ankle)
• Greg Rousseau (back)
• Shaq Thompson (neck)

Did not participate:

• Maxwell Hairston (ankle)
• Ty Johnson (ankle)
• Jordan Poyer (hamstring)
• Tyrell Shavers (knee)

Notably, linebacker Shaq Thompson progressed from not participating Tuesday to limited on Wednesday, a positive development. But Buffalo is clearly managing multiple core contributors heading into the matchup. The availability of Poyer, Johnson, and Hairston remains uncertain and will be worth monitoring as the week progresses.

Broncos enter matchup relatively healthy

By comparison, the Broncos are in strong shape for this stage of the postseason. While Denver has dealt with its share of injuries this year, including J.K. Dobbins, Brandon Jones, and Luke Wattenberg, the team enters the Divisional Round with most of their key contributors available.

Defensive end John Franklin-Myers practiced in full for the second straight day, while linebacker Dre Greenlaw was limited as the team manages his workload ahead of a matchup with the NFL’s No. 1 rushing offense.

Can Josh Allen carry the load?

If Denver can slow down James Cook and force the game onto Allen’s shoulders, the Bills may find themselves relying heavily on a quarterback dealing with multiple injuries and a depleted supporting cast. Allen has proven capable of covering flaws before, but as injuries accumulate, even an MVP can only do so much.

Saturday’s matchup may come down to whether Allen’s health, and what remains around him, is enough to keep Buffalo’s playoff run alive. The game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET from Empower Field at Mile High. You can follow along with our live updates of the game right here on AS USA.

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