Bills Lose LB Dorian Williams to Scary Neck Injury on Opening Kickoff vs. Broncos
The Buffalo Bills’ AFC Divisional Round clash with the Denver Broncos got off to a jarring start - and not in the way anyone wanted. Just seconds into the game, linebacker Dorian Williams went down after a violent helmet-to-helmet collision with Denver return man Marvin Mims on the opening kickoff.
The hit was immediate and brutal. Williams, charging downfield in coverage, collided head-to-head with Mims.
What followed was a frightening moment - Williams’ body stiffened into what’s known as the “fencing response,” a clear sign of possible head trauma. Medical staff rushed to his side as he lay motionless on the turf.
Thankfully, Williams eventually regained enough awareness to walk off the field under his own power. But the Bills quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game with a neck injury. As the second half began, CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson reported that Williams had been carted to the locker room for imaging and later walked into an ambulance before being transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
For a Bills team already walking a tightrope with injuries, this was another gut punch. Williams, a third-round pick out of Tulane in 2023, had carved out a meaningful role on defense this season.
He logged 63 total tackles - 29 of them solo - and added a fumble recovery to his stat line. His speed and physicality had become an asset in Buffalo’s linebacker rotation.
But now, his status going forward is uncertain, and the Bills’ already-depleted defense takes another hit. Heading into the game, Buffalo had 19 players listed on the injury report - a staggering number for any playoff team, let alone one with Super Bowl aspirations.
Among those banged-up defenders: Terrel Bernard, Jordan Poyer, Jordan Phillips, Phidarian Mathis, Maxwell Hairston, Damar Hamlin, Landon Jackson, Dorian Strong, Michael Hoecht, Taylor Rapp, DeWayne Carter, and Wande Owens. That’s not just depth - that’s a significant chunk of the defensive core.
And yet, the game went on. Denver struck first with a field goal from Will Lutz, capping their opening drive.
The Bills responded with a touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman, recently added to the roster and already making an impact. But the Broncos answered right back, this time with a bit of trickery - a touchdown pass to eligible offensive lineman Frank Crum, giving Denver a 10-7 lead.
Still, the early story was Williams. In a game filled with playoff intensity and high stakes, his injury served as a sobering reminder of just how physical - and dangerous - this sport can be.
The hope now is that the young linebacker recovers fully and quickly. For Buffalo, the road ahead is tough enough without losing another key piece on defense.