The Buffalo Bills are heading into their bye week with momentum after a significant win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and they may have received more positive news following a potential injury scare for quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen had his throwing hand assessed by the team’s medical staff after a touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel in the fourth quarter of the 30-21 win on November 14, which caught the attention of the CBS broadcast team.
Despite this, Allen returned to the field and later sealed the win with a 26-yard touchdown run. There were some lingering concerns that the injury could persist, but head coach Sean McDermott has put those worries to rest, confirming that no major issues were found after the game.
Josh Allen Healthy and Resting During the Bye Week
McDermott reassured reporters that head trainer Nate Breske had evaluated Allen and found no cause for concern.
“He’s good to go,” McDermott said. “I think we’re going to get him a new [hand] over the bye week here,” McDermott joked, adding that as far as he knows, there are no lingering concerns from the trainer.
Allen will now have two weeks to rest after guiding the Bills to a 9-2 record with the win. Although there were no new injury issues following the Chiefs game, Allen had previously hurt his left (non-throwing) hand earlier this season and had been wearing a protective glove.
Allen is no stranger to injuries, as he has dealt with several in past seasons. In 2023, he suffered a shoulder injury early in the season that altered his throwing motion for the rest of the year. In the offseason, he worked with a sports science company to address these issues.
The bye week could also provide extra time for linebacker Matt Milano to recover. Milano, who has missed most of the 2023 season due to a fractured leg and then a torn pectoral in training camp, has been activated from injured reserve and returned to practice. The Bills could have Milano back for their next game against the San Francisco 49ers, giving a boost to their defense.
Josh Allen Leading MVP Race
In addition to leading the Bills to their best start in over 30 years, Allen has garnered personal recognition. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor listed him as a top MVP contender, just behind Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Pryor noted that Allen made his most convincing case yet with his performance in the win over the Chiefs, particularly his game-clinching touchdown run, which strengthened his MVP chances.
“Perhaps the most impressive part of Allen’s MVP campaign is that he’s doing it without an established Robin to his Batman,” Pryor wrote, pointing out that despite the trade of Stefon Diggs, the Bills have relied on a diverse group of players, with 11 different Bills catching touchdown passes from Allen.
