The Buffalo Bills’ trip back from Houston left them with a short runway before Thursday night’s matchup with the Detroit Lions, and the first injury report of the week reflects that reality. It’s a longer list than last week’s, but nothing in it screams major trouble.
For Buffalo, Wednesday’s estimated participation report included three limited players: linebacker Terrel Bernard with a calf issue, running back Ty Johnson with a hamstring injury, and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders dealing with a knee problem. Three others were listed as full participants: safety Cole Bishop, who is working through knee and groin issues, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb with a thumb injury, and defensive back Jordan Hancock with a quad concern.
The key note for the Bills is that they didn’t actually practice Monday. This report is based on what participation would have looked like had the team done more than film work and recovery.
The encouraging part for Buffalo is that DJ Moore’s brief stop in the medical tent Sunday, along with Josh Allen’s short-lived hand discomfort, did not turn into anything more serious.
Ty Johnson is the most obvious name to watch on the Bills side. He’s expected to be back this week, but that raises the question of what happens to Frank Gore, Jr., who was elevated from the practice squad Sunday and ended up out-snapping Ray Davis on offense.
Buffalo’s fourth running back actually doubled Davis in offensive snaps, with Gore, Jr. logging 10 to Davis’s 5. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, Jr. - or Joe Brady depending on how we want to look at the Buffalo offense - seemed very content using Gore, Jr. in a blocking role.
Bernard also appears to be trending in the right direction, and it would take a lot for him to miss this game. If he somehow can’t go, Shaq Thompson could be the practice-squad call-up.
Detroit’s report carried its own short-week complications. The Lions had two players sit out Wednesday: guard Christian Mahogany and tackle Blake Miller. Center Juice Scruggs was limited, while safety Christian Izien was a full participant.
For Detroit, the two linemen are the names to keep an eye on. Miller, the club’s first-round pick out of Clemson, played 77 snaps in Week 1 and allowed just one pressure. Scruggs, meanwhile, is Detroit’s starting center and also played every one of those 77 offensive snaps in the Week 1 win.
If Miller can’t suit up, veteran Larry Borom would be the swing tackle. He has played in 64 games and made 38 starts over six seasons.
Scruggs looks more likely to play than Miller, but if he’s out Thursday night, Detroit would need to reshuffle the line because the roster does not currently include a dedicated backup center on the 53-man roster.
In Other News...
Texans Frustration With Josh Allen Could Get Even Worse
Josh Allen gave Houston plenty to handle in the Bills 2026 season opener, piling up three touchdowns in the first half and keeping Buffalo in control from the jump. The Texans also found themselves on the wrong end of one of the games most frustrating moments when defensive tackle Mario Edwards was flagged for roughing the passer after making illegal contact with Allen, a penalty that turned into a 15-yard walk-off and an automatic first down for Buffalo.
For a Houston defense already trying to find answers against one of the leagues toughest quarterbacks, the call only added to the sting. It also comes against the backdrop of the NFLs 2026 roughing-the-passer rules and the fines tied to those hits, which means the Texans may have to be even more careful going forward if they want to avoid giving Allen and the Bills any more easy yards. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Allen Did His Part But Bills Have A Bigger Problem
Josh Allen gave Buffalo exactly the kind of start it needed against Houston, accounting for three first-half touchdowns and keeping the offense on schedule from the opening snaps. His pair of rushing scores also moved him into a tie with Frank Gore and Ottis Anderson for 20th all-time in NFL rushing touchdowns, a reminder of how much Allen continues to do as both a passer and a runner. He finished the half 8 of 11 for 163 yards, and the Bills went into the break with a 24-21 edge.
The problem for Buffalo was on the other side of the ball, where the defense let Houston stack up 21 first-half points and forced the Bills into a shootout they probably did not want. Jim Leonhard has work to do in the second half to settle things down, because Allen can keep bailing out this offense only for so long. [Read more 🡒]
Stefon Diggs Is Taking Heat For Another Costly Mistake
Stefon Diggs finally found the end zone for Washington on a 10-yard pass from Jayden Daniels against the Eagles, a moment that should have been a clean early highlight in his new setting. Instead, the celebration turned into a problem when Diggs drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for hugging the goalpost, a move the NFL has banned since 2014.
The flag changed the math for Washington immediately, pushing the Commanders into an extra-point try instead of a 2-point attempt in a tight game. Philadelphia went on to win 24-22, leaving Diggs with a first touchdown that came with an expensive reminder about how little room there is for error in a close finish. [Read more 🡒]