BREAKING: Promising Bills Rookie Placed on Injured Reserve — Season Ends After Just Three Games Amid Emotional Sideline Scene

Buffalo, New York — November 11, 2025

The Buffalo Bills’ rollercoaster season took another gut punch on Monday morning. Hours after their 13–30 loss to the Miami Dolphins, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that one of the team’s most promising rookies has been placed on Injured Reserve (IR) — ending his season after only three games.

The move adds yet another name to Buffalo’s ever-growing injury list — now totaling 26 players on IR, the most in the AFC East this season. And this one hurts on multiple levels.

“He’s worked too hard for this,” said one Bills veteran, visibly emotional in the locker room.
“You hate seeing a young guy like that go down. He’s got all the tools, all the drive.”

THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

It happened early in the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. On what looked like a routine tackle of Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon, the rookie defensive end went down awkwardly — no contact, no hit, just a bad step. He clutched his right knee, slammed his fist into the turf, and removed his helmet in frustration.

The Bills’ sideline fell silent as medical staff rushed in. Moments later, he was helped off the field, head down, his right leg wrapped tightly.

Postgame imaging confirmed the worst: a torn PCL and MCL in his right knee, though the ACL was spared. For most players, that’s a long recovery. For him — a 22-year-old who’s already endured two ACL tears on his left knee during his college career — it’s another mountain to climb.

“We’re heartbroken for him,” said McDermott in his postgame presser. “He’s truly talented, works the right way, and loves this game. We’ll be with him every step of the recovery.”

LANDON JACKSON’S ROOKIE JOURNEY — PROMISE INTERRUPTED

The player in question is Landon Jackson, Buffalo’s third-round pick (No. 78 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Arkansas. Standing 6-foot-6 with elite reach and athletic burst, Jackson was seen as a long-term anchor in the Bills’ pass rush rotation — a hybrid edge built for Sean McDermott’s scheme.

Coming off a breakout senior year in college with 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, expectations were high. Yet, through his first three NFL games, Jackson’s impact remained quiet — 43 total snaps (30 on defense, 13 on special teams) without a tackle or QB hit. Coaches believed he was still adjusting to the speed and strength of the pro level.

Then came Week 10 — and the cruel twist of fate that ended it all too soon.

A DEFENSE UNDER STRAIN

Jackson’s injury compounds an already staggering toll on Buffalo’s defense. The team had just lost Michael Hoecht (Achilles) and A.J. Epenesa (concussion) weeks prior, forcing constant rotation among the front seven.

At times against Miami, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones had to shift outside to defensive end — a desperate measure that reflected how thin the roster has become. The Bills’ pass rush, once a strength, is now hanging by a thread as the team prepares for Week 11 vs. the Buccaneers.

Elsewhere, tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) and cornerback Christian Benford (groin) remain game-time decisions. The Bills (6–3) are still alive in the AFC East race, but their depth is being tested like never before.

THE LONG ROAD BACK

Landon Jackson’s rookie season may be over, but the story isn’t. He remains under a four-year, $5.5 million rookie contract, including a $1.2 million signing bonus, giving him the security and support needed to focus on recovery.

NFL analyst Jordan Schultz (The Athletic) noted that with a full rehab, Jackson has “the traits to become a late bloomer — the kind of player who bounces back stronger.”

And in Buffalo, where resilience is part of the culture, that’s exactly what fans are hoping for.

“He’s the kind of kid who’ll come back better,” said McDermott. “This isn’t the end of his story — it’s just the start of a comeback.”

For now, the locker room remains united behind its fallen rookie — a reminder that in football, the greatest battles aren’t always fought on the field.