The Buffalo Bills are back in familiar territory-battling the injury report as much as they are their opponents. After grinding out a win over the Steelers despite a shorthanded roster, the Bills are staring down another tough test this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, and once again, health is a major storyline.
Injury Report: Key Names in Flux
Head coach Sean McDermott offered a handful of updates on Monday, and they were a mixed bag. The biggest concern: left tackle Dion Dawkins remains in concussion protocol. That’s a huge piece missing from the offensive line, especially with a Bengals front that, even without its top pass rusher, can still bring pressure.
On the defensive side, edge rusher Joey Bosa is dealing with a hamstring injury. McDermott didn’t commit to a timeline, and for good reason-hamstrings are notoriously tricky, and Bosa’s been around long enough to know that rushing back can do more harm than good. If he can’t go, that’s a major blow to a pass rush that’s leaned heavily on him this season.
And then there’s kicker Tyler Bass, who underwent surgery last week and is officially done for the year. That’s not just a special teams footnote-Bass has been a steady presence, and his absence will force Buffalo to adjust in tight-game situations.
Some Light at the End of the Tunnel
There is some cautiously optimistic news. Spencer Brown, Dalton Kincaid, Joshua Palmer, and Terrel Bernard are all trending in the right direction.
None are guaranteed to return this week, but their progress is encouraging. If even a couple of them suit up, that could shift the balance in Buffalo’s favor-especially on offense, where Brown’s presence at right tackle would be a big boost.
Sizing Up the Bengals Matchup
The Bengals, sitting at 4-8, aren’t exactly lighting up the standings, but they’re not rolling over either. With Joe Burrow back under center, Cincinnati pulled off a surprise win over the Ravens last week, keeping their playoff hopes barely alive. And while their defense has struggled-ranking at the bottom of the league in both passing and rushing yards allowed-they’ve been solid in pass protection, allowing just 25 sacks all season.
That stat becomes especially relevant if Bosa is sidelined. Without their top pass rusher, the Bills will need to lean on A.J.
Epenesa and Gregory Rousseau to generate pressure off the edge. Burrow was sacked just once in his return, and if he gets time in the pocket, this could turn into a shootout-something Buffalo would rather avoid, especially with their own offensive line in flux.
What to Watch
This game could come down to who’s healthier at kickoff. If Buffalo gets even a partial return of some key starters-particularly Brown and Kincaid-they’ll be in good shape to exploit Cincinnati’s defensive weaknesses. But if Bosa can’t go, and Dawkins remains out, the Bills will be walking a tightrope on both sides of the ball.
It’s December football-every snap matters, and every injury update feels like it could swing a game. The Bills have been here before, and they’ve shown they can fight through adversity.
But with the Bengals desperate to keep their season alive, Buffalo will need more than grit. They’ll need bodies back on the field.