As the Cleveland Browns prepare for a late-season showdown with the Buffalo Bills, there’s a lot more at stake than just another December football game. For Buffalo, it’s about building momentum and solidifying playoff positioning. For Cleveland, it’s about navigating a season that’s been defined by injuries, inconsistency, and questions about the future - both at quarterback and on the sidelines with head coach Kevin Stefanski.
And if the Browns’ first injury report of the week is any indication, they’ll be limping into this one - literally and figuratively.
Browns Injury Picture: A Packed List with Key Starters in Question
Let’s start with the obvious: Cleveland’s injury report is stacked. And not in a good way. Thursday’s update brought a few changes, but the sheer volume of names - especially key contributors - paints a challenging picture.
Joel Bitonio, the veteran anchor of the offensive line, upgraded from “Did Not Practice” (DNP) to “Limited,” which is a positive sign. But he’s still clearly not at 100%, and with Jack Conklin still sidelined due to a concussion, the Browns could be down two starting linemen against a Bills front that knows how to get after the quarterback.
Myles Garrett, who was listed as DNP on Wednesday due to rest, returned to full participation Thursday - no surprise there. The Browns are managing his reps carefully, and for good reason. Garrett remains the heartbeat of this defense and one of the few players who can single-handedly shift the momentum of a game.
The defensive backfield is also banged up. Grant Delpit (groin) was limited, and Denzel Ward (calf) didn’t practice at all. If Ward can’t go, Cleveland’s secondary is going to have its hands full with Buffalo’s dynamic receiving corps.
On the offensive side, David Njoku (knee) did not practice, and that’s a significant concern. Njoku has been a reliable target and a key piece in both the passing game and run blocking. Without him, the Browns lose a major mismatch weapon.
And then there’s Deshaun Watson. Still listed as limited with the lingering Achilles issue, Watson’s availability - and effectiveness - remains a question mark. With the team already looking toward the 2026 draft, the quarterback situation will continue to be under the microscope, especially as fans start dreaming of what a player like Shedeur Sanders might look like in brown and orange.
Other notable names on the list include:
- Teven Jenkins (shoulder) - upgraded to limited
- Wyatt Teller (calf) - limited
- Mason Graham (rib) - limited
- Mike Hall Jr. (illness) - DNP
- Dylan Sampson (hand) - DNP
That’s a lot of bodies in question for a team already dealing with depth issues across the board.
Bills Injury Report: Special Teams in the Spotlight?
Buffalo’s injury report isn’t quite as extensive, but it does come with a few eyebrow-raisers - especially on special teams.
Both Matt Prater (right quad) and Mitch Wishnowsky (right knee) are dealing with leg injuries. Prater didn’t practice Thursday, and Wishnowsky was limited. That’s your kicker and punter both hobbled heading into a potentially tight, late-season game - not exactly ideal.
Elsewhere, the Bills had a few players take a step back in their recovery:
- Taron Johnson (quad) went from full to limited
- DaQuan Jones (calf) also downgraded to limited
- Dalton Kincaid (knee) didn’t practice
Kincaid’s status is one to watch. The rookie tight end has become a reliable safety valve for Josh Allen, especially in the red zone. If he’s out, Buffalo may have to shift more targets toward their wideouts or lean on the run game more heavily.
On the bright side for Buffalo, Terrel Bernard (elbow) and Mecole Hardman (calf) both upgraded to full participants, which bodes well for both the defense and special teams.
What It All Means Heading Into Sunday
For the Browns, the injury report underscores just how tough this season has been. Key players on both sides of the ball are either limited or not practicing at all, and with the team already out of the playoff picture, the focus shifts to development, evaluation, and - let’s be honest - draft positioning.
Buffalo, on the other hand, is still very much in the hunt. But with a few concerning injuries creeping in - especially on special teams - they’ll need to be sharp and disciplined to avoid a trap game against a Browns team that, while banged up, still has enough talent to spoil someone’s postseason plans.
Sunday’s matchup may not carry the same weight for both teams, but it’s a pivotal one nonetheless. For Buffalo, it’s about staying on track. For Cleveland, it’s about finding out who’s ready to fight through adversity - and who might be part of the long-term solution.