While the Buffalo Bills punched their ticket to the next round of the playoffs after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round, they also emerged from the game with a laundry list of injuries.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said they don’t have time to fret over the players they’ve lost, but rather focus on the players expected to step up. The Bills travel to take on the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round on Saturday, January 17.
“What we need to focus on is what’s in front of us and that’s handling the things that we can handle and control,” McDermott said. “It’s next man up. That’s pretty stone cold what it is and what has to happen here for us.”
However, one player that cannot be replaced is quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills’ franchise star took a beating in Jacksonville. While Allen cleared concussion protocol after taking a blow to the head, the hits kept coming.
GettyJaguars’ Josh Hines-Allen sacks Bills quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026.
He hurt his throwing hand on a helmet and appeared to hyperextend his knee while getting tackled during a rushing touchdown. Allen limped to the medical tent but returned to the game.
Allen was limited in practice on Tuesday, causing concern for the Bills amid a short week. However, the Bills got great news on Allen on Wednesday.
Bills QB Josh Allen Is a Full Participant in Practice
While Allen was on the injury report with multiple ailments — foot, knee, and right finger — the Bills announced that he was a full participant on Wednesday.
It’s doubtful the 29-year-old quarterback is feeling 100%; however, it’s hard to keep the reigning MVP down. “When your quarterback is that type of warrior, that type of competitor, from a leadership standpoint, it goes through the whole team,” McDermott told reporters after the Bills-Jaguars game.
“We’ve got to get him healthy as we can though for next week. It’s not something we take lightly. He took some hits today.”
The Bills Need to Make ‘Adjustments’ Before Facing the Broncos
GettyBills head coach Sean McDermott in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026.
With a depleted wide receivers room and multiple injuries to key starters on defense, McDermott acknowledged that they need to switch things up. Relying on Allen to go into Superman mode in order to win is not a sound game plan.
“We’re going to need everyone. I mean, that’s the short answer and is the simple truth. We’re going to need everyone,” McDermott said ahead of the Broncos showdown.
“It’s a great team, No. 1 seed in the AFC and they’ve earned that [and] we’re at their place. It’s that type of game and you’ve got to be able to do your 1/11th at a very high level. If we don’t make the adjustments this week and the improvements we need to make, it’s going to be really hard – awfully hard for us to get a win out there.”
Bills Announce Great News on Josh Allen Before Broncos Game