The Buffalo Bills are gearing up for a crucial showdown against the Denver Broncos this Saturday, following their intense 27-24 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round. However, the Bills face significant injury challenges as they prepare for their second playoff game in just over a week.
Two prominent players will be missing from the Bills lineup. Safety Jordan Poyer, who re-aggravated a hamstring injury during the wild-card match, has been officially ruled out for the upcoming game. He has had an impactful season with 70 tackles and an interception across 10 games despite struggling with injuries.
Wide receiver Gabe Davis is another key player sidelined due to a left torn ACL suffered in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars. Davis was quickly ruled out after being carted off the field, and he later shared an emotional update on social media, thanking supporters. His absence will require Buffalo to adjust their offensive strategies, likely activating either Curtis Samuel or Mecole Hardman to fill the gap.
Quarterback Josh Allen, who faced his own physical challenges against Jacksonville—making two trips to the medical tent for evaluations—continues to be a focal point of the team. After being cleared for a concussion and dealing with various ailments, Allen expressed confidence in his condition, indicating it was mostly precautionary.
The Bills also have several other injury concerns as they navigate through the postseason. Running back Ty Johnson missed the wild-card match due to an ankle injury, while linebacker Terrel Bernard remains sidelined with a calf injury. Rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston was also absent, nursing an ankle injury sustained in the regular season finale.
On the other side of the matchup, the Denver Broncos are dealing with their own injury updates. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw has recently returned from a hamstring injury but has faced setbacks earlier in the season. Safety P.J. Locke, who had been starting in the absence of Brandon Jones, suffered a leg injury in Week 18.
As both teams prepare, the Bills look to harness their offensive firepower led by Allen in an effort to secure a win and continue their playoff journey. The dynamics introduced by the absence of some key players could challenge their vanilla strategy, but strategic depth and resilience will be vital in facing off against the No. 1 seeded Denver Broncos. With the stakes high, both teams aim to advance further into the playoffs, promising an exciting matchup ahead.