Bills Announce Massive Injury News Ahead Of Broncos Wild Card Matchup

The Buffalo Bills didn’t achieve a first-round bye in the playoffs but they gave 20 of their top players rest.

Buffalo enters the postseason as one of the healthiest teams in the NFL. The Bills’ (13-4) entire roster could be intact when it hosts the Denver Broncos (10-7) in the AFC wild-card round at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Eight Buffalo starters were inactive for its 23-16 loss to the New England Patriots. The game was inconsequential in the standings but ensured the Bills are at optimal health.

Cornerbacks Christian Benford and Taron Johnson, defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver, linebacker Terrel Bernard, wide receiver Amari Cooper, defensive end Greg Rousseau and offensive tackle Dion Dawkins all sat out.

Seven players were active but didn’t play a snap: tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Matt Milano, center Connor McGovern, guard David Edwards, and offensive tackle Spencer Brown.

Quarterback Josh Allen played one snap to extend his active NFL best active start streak to 115 games. Cornerback Rasul Douglas (16 snaps), running back James Cook (15 snaps), and edge rushers A.J. Epenesa (5 snaps) and Von Miller (3 snaps) played sparingly.

“The No. 1 thing was to get out of the game healthy, as healthy as we could,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said at his Monday media availability.

Only wide receiver Amari Cooper and returner Brandon Codrington are question marks against Denver. Cooper was out versus New England due to a family matter and Codrington tweaked a hamstring in Week 18.

Sean McDermott said Monday he believes Bernard will return from a one-game absence with a quadriceps injury.

Buffalo and Denver each have four players on reserve lists, which are the fewest of any team in the league.

NFL teams have to submit a report on practice participation on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a Sunday game. There are three levels of practice participation that can be designated: did not participate, limited participation and full participation.

A game status report is due by 5 p.m. Friday for Sunday games.

Here is the Bills vs. Broncos injury report for the playoffs:

Buffalo Bills injury update for playoffs

Amari Cooper, WR, personal

Amari Cooper was downgraded to out the day before Buffalo played New England. He did not travel with the team and was excused for a family matter in Week 18.

“He has not returned at this point,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday. “I would hope so (that Cooper returns). I’m taking it one day at a time.

“It’s family related and I’ll just leave it at that out of respect for Amari.”

Status: Returned to team on Wednesday and full participant

Brandon Codrington, RET/CB, hamstring

Brandon Codrington suffered a hamstring injury in the loss to the Patriots.

“Codrington came up a little bit lame with a hamstring so we’re getting more information on that,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday. “It’s still kind of early in terms of the information coming from our medical team so we’ll take it one day at a time.”

Codrington played a season-high 27 defensive snaps with a season-best four tackles against New England. He added two kickoff returns with a 31.0 average.

Status: Did not practice Wednesday

#Bills Brandon Codrington hamstring inj

Takes awkward L side step as defender hits over top to tackle before L leg collapses, goes down

Looks to limp jogging off. Moving normal prior

Likely miss game, but play on ST limit snaps, possibly could play. Wait/see how practice goes pic.twitter.com/lLj1KQZeA4

— Banged Up Bills (@BangedUpBills) January 6, 2025

Terrel Bernard, LB, quadriceps

Terrel Bernard missed the final regular season game due to a quadriceps injury.

Bills coach Sean McDermott reiterated Bernard should return for the playoffs.

“I think from the information I got toward the end of the week from our medical staff if that he’s trending in the right direction,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday. “No news at this point is good news is far as I’m concerned.”

Status: Full practice Wednesday

Curtis Samuel, WR, rib

Curtis Samuel returned from a two-game absence to lead Buffalo with seven receptions for 52 yards against the Patriots.

Status: Full practice Wednesday

Damar Hamlin, S, rib

Damar Hamlin returned after missing three games and recorded six tackles versus New England.

Status: Full practice Wednesday

Ja’Marcus Ingram, CB, personal

Status: Did not practice Wednesday

Injured reserve

The following Bills players are on injured reserve:

• Travis Clayton, OT, shoulder
• Shane Buechele, QB, neck
• Tommy Doyle, OT, knee
• Baylon Spector, LB

Denver Broncos injury update for playoffs

Frank Crum, OT, illness

Frank Crum missed not play against Kansas City in Week 18 due to an illness. Crum missed three days of practice leading up to the game.

Tyler Badie, RB, back

Tyler Badie has been on injured reserve since suffering a back injury that sent him to a hospital for evaluation against the New York Jets in Week 4.

Denver opened Badie’s 21-day practice window on Dec. 24. The third-year running back logged a full week of practice prior to Week 18 but has not been activated from injured reserve.

A terrifying scene at the #Jets/#Broncos game with RB Tyler Badie. Prayers out to him 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/afYCb12QkU

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 29, 2024

Injured reserve

The following Broncos players are on injured reserve:

• Quinn Bailey, OT
• Alex Singleton

Injured reserve, designated for return

• Tyler Badie, RB

Physically unable to perform

• Delarrin Turner-Yell, S