The Buffalo Bills are heading into Week 16 with their eyes still firmly on the AFC East crown-and they’re doing it with reinforcements on the way. After a gritty win over the Patriots despite missing key defensive starters, the Bills are getting healthier at just the right time. And while the Cleveland Browns won’t be heading to the postseason, they’re still a team capable of spoiling a playoff push if taken lightly.
Let’s dive into Buffalo’s Friday injury report and what it means for Sunday’s matchup.
CB Christian Benford (Toe) - AVAILABLE
Benford was a late scratch last week, downgraded to a non-participant after initially practicing without issue. He was spotted in a walking boot, which raised some eyebrows, but the good news is he’s back.
After limited work early in the week, Benford was a full participant Friday and carries no injury designation for Sunday. Don’t be surprised if the Bills manage his reps, but he’s on track to suit up.
LB Terrel Bernard (Elbow) - AVAILABLE
Bernard’s return is a big one. The middle linebacker has missed three straight games, but the Bills’ defense held things together thanks to solid coaching and veteran leadership.
Still, Bernard brings a level of speed, communication, and versatility that’s tough to replicate. He progressed from limited to full participation by Thursday and is cleared for Sunday.
Expect him to jump right back into the heart of the defense.
DE Joey Bosa (Hamstring/Wrist) - AVAILABLE
Bosa’s return last week was ahead of schedule, and now he’s officially off the injury report. That’s huge for a pass rush that’s leaned heavily on his presence all season. With Bosa at full strength, Buffalo’s front four becomes a much more dangerous unit, especially against a Browns team that’s struggled to protect the quarterback consistently.
OT Dion Dawkins (Illness) - AVAILABLE
Dawkins missed two days of practice with an illness but returned on Friday without limitations. He’s ready to go, and that’s a relief for Josh Allen and the offensive line. Dawkins remains one of the most dependable pieces on that front.
WR Mecole Hardman (Calf) - QUESTIONABLE
Hardman is inching closer to a return after landing on IR ahead of Week 12. He’s been a full participant in practice, which is promising, but he still hasn’t been officially activated.
If he does get the green light, he brings a vertical threat and gadget-play potential that Buffalo hasn’t fully tapped into with Curtis Samuel. His status will be one to watch as kickoff approaches.
CB Taron Johnson (Quad) - AVAILABLE
Johnson picked up a minor quad injury against New England, but it doesn’t appear to be anything serious. He was limited Thursday and given a veteran rest day Friday. He’s good to go for Sunday, and his presence in the slot is key against a Browns offense that likes to work the middle of the field.
DT DaQuan Jones (Calf) - AVAILABLE
Jones has been one of the more reliable interior linemen this season, but he’s had his share of injury issues too. This latest calf issue didn’t keep him from practicing early in the week, though he was limited Thursday and rested Friday. He’s cleared for Sunday, and the Bills will need his strength in the trenches to contain Cleveland’s run game.
TE Dalton Kincaid (Knee) - AVAILABLE
Kincaid’s injury situation has been a little murky. He returned last week, then missed two practices before suiting up fully on Friday.
The rookie tight end has become a critical part of Buffalo’s passing game, and despite the unusual practice schedule, he’s cleared to play. Expect the Bills to continue featuring him as a reliable target for Allen.
WR Joshua Palmer (Knee/Ankle) - AVAILABLE
For the first time since Week 5, Palmer is off the injury report. While he hasn’t had a major impact yet this season, being fully healthy gives him a chance to carve out a role in a receiving corps that’s still looking for consistency behind Stefon Diggs.
DB Cam Lewis (Hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
Lewis showed up on the injury report after Thursday’s practice with a hamstring issue, then was downgraded Friday. He’s officially questionable for Sunday, and with the secondary already thin at times this year, his availability could impact Buffalo’s depth in sub-packages.
T Chase Lundt (Knee) - OUT
The rookie tackle went down Thursday and didn’t practice Friday. Sean McDermott ruled him out early, though details remain scarce. It’s a tough blow for a young player who’s been working to earn more reps.
K Matt Prater (Right Quad) - OUT
Prater’s quad injury is a tough break for a Bills team that’s leaned on his consistency since taking over for Tyler Bass. He was perfect on extra points last week, but he’s now week-to-week.
In his place, the Bills have signed veteran Michael Badgley to the practice squad. Badgley brings recent experience and should be a steady hand if called up.
DT Jordan Phillips (Ankle) - OUT
Phillips exited early in last week’s win and was seen in a walking boot afterward. He was ruled out for Week 16 on Monday, and his absence will be felt in Buffalo’s defensive line rotation. The Bills will need others to step up to maintain their interior push.
P Mitch Wishnowsky (Right Knee) - AVAILABLE
Wishnowsky became the latest Bill to suffer a mid-week injury, tweaking his kicking leg Thursday. Fortunately, he’s cleared for Sunday. With Prater out, the Bills will need Wishnowsky’s punting to help control field position against a Browns team that thrives on short-field opportunities.
Final Thoughts
The Bills have taken their share of injury hits this season-especially in the middle of the week, which has become an unfortunate trend. Whether or not that’s connected to offseason changes in the strength and conditioning staff is up for debate, but the timing isn’t ideal for a team still fighting for playoff positioning.
Still, the outlook for Sunday is mostly positive. Key defenders like Bernard, Benford, and Bosa are back.
The offensive line is intact. And while the special teams unit will be without Prater, the Bills have a capable replacement in place.
Buffalo’s margin for error is thin, but they’re getting healthy at the right time. With the AFC East still in play, they’ll need every available body-and every bit of momentum-to keep pace.