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The Buffalo Bills’ hopes of making their first Super Bowl since the 1993 season are on hold as they prepare to play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round.
First, Josh Allen was one of 15 players listed on the Bills’ injury report to start the week. Allen was dealing with three injuries simultaneously – a foot, knee and right finger. He was limited in training on Tuesday, but was a full participant on Wednesday.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is sacked by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, left, as defensive end Travon Walker (44) tries to help during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Even as beaten as he is, the ball has been in Allen’s hands to create magic on the field. He did that against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he scored three times, including a touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid with 8:56 left in the game and a rushing score to put Buffalo ahead with about 1:04 left.
The Broncos, who have one of the best defenses in the NFL, are very aware of what Allen can bring to the table. He had 272 passing yards and two touchdowns in their matchup last year.
“One thing we have to eliminate is his second chance,” Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II said of Allen. “He thrives on that and finding opportunities even if the play isn’t there. He’s a great player, so we have to game plan and eliminate the explosives.”
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph gets the privilege of creating a defensive plan to stop the Bills.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen leaves the medical tent during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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“His legs are special, he’s got the size to make every single throw. It’s no different for us, but obviously you can’t fake it. If you could, you would. But you can’t,” Joseph said. “There’s a Josh Allen and he lives in Buffalo.”
Despite Allen’s greatness, the injury report is extensive and he lost another weapon.
Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers will miss the remainder of the playoffs after suffering a torn knee ligament, head coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday. The news came a day after McDermott said Gabe Davis had suffered a similar injury.
Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Brandin Cooks represent the healthy receivers on the team’s official depth chart. Mecole Hardman and Stephen Gosnell are candidates to be promoted to the active roster. The team also added Kristian Wilkerson to the practice squad.
Kincaid (knee/calf), Ty Johnson (ankle) and Curtis Samuel (elbow) are the other injured offensive linemen on the list. Samuel is on the reserve/injury list.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Dawson Knox (88) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Terrel Bernard (calf), AJ Epenesa (neck), Maxwell Hairston (ankle), Damar Hamlin (chest), Matt Milano (ankle), Ed Oliver (bicep), Jordan Poyer (hamstring), Greg Rousseau (back), Shaq Thompson (neck) and Matt Prater (right quad/right calf) are also listed on the report.
“What we have to focus on is what’s in front of us … and that’s dealing with the things we can handle and control,” McDermott said via the team’s website. “It’s next man. It’s pretty stone cold what it is and what’s going to happen here for us.”
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The two teams meet on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.
