The Buffalo Bills enter Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season with more than just playoff pressure on their shoulders. As they prepare for a crucial road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the team has released its first injury report of the week featuring a worrying total of 13 players.
Even with three extra days of rest after their last game, Buffalo is still dealing with a crowded injury list, including several key starters who could miss time or even land on injured reserve. Below is a detailed breakdown of the situation and what it means for the Bills before they travel to Pittsburgh.
Overview of the Bills Week 13 injury report
The opening injury report of Week 13 paints a troubling picture for Buffalo:
A total of 13 players are listed with various injuries.
Key starters on offense such as Josh Allen, Spencer Brown, Dion Dawkins, Dalton Kincaid and Curtis Samuel are all on the report.
On defense, important contributors like linebacker Terrel Bernard and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston are also affected.
Some players are being evaluated on a week to week basis, with the possibility of being placed on injured reserve (IR) still on the table.
With the AFC playoff race tightening, depth and health could become the deciding factors in the Bills season.
Josh Allen appears on the injury report again
Unsurprisingly, all eyes immediately went to quarterback Josh Allen when the report was released.
In the previous game, Allen scared the entire Western New York region when he was dragged down from behind and stayed on the ground in clear pain. He did not miss a snap, returned with bandages and tape on his left elbow and finished the game. The broadcast indicated a turf burn on that arm.
However, in the first injury report of Week 13, the Bills listed his right elbow as the issue and head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Allen is dealing with soreness. During practice, Allen was seen with Kinesio tape on his throwing elbow.
At this point, there is no direct indication that Allen will miss the game against the Steelers, but any discomfort in the throwing arm of the franchise quarterback is a major storyline to watch for the rest of the week.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard remains sidelined
On defense, one of the biggest concerns is linebacker Terrel Bernard.
Bernard left the previous game and later returned to the sideline with his arm in a sling.
He has not yet returned to practice.
McDermott previously said Bernard would be evaluated on a week to week basis.
When asked about the possibility of placing Bernard on IR, the head coach did not rule it out, although the fact that the team has not yet made that move is viewed as a positive sign. It is still considered unlikely that Bernard will play against Pittsburgh, but there is hope he could return the following week, potentially wearing an elbow brace similar to what Jordan Poyer in 2022 and Dorian Williams in 2024 used.
Spencer Brown, Tylan Grable and the right tackle question
The offensive line is also under major stress, starting with right tackle Spencer Brown.
Brown suffered a shoulder injury in the Week 12 loss at Houston.
After the injury, his performance dropped off significantly, yet he attempted to gut it out and finish the game.
McDermott described Brown as another player being evaluated on a week to week basis and did not dismiss the idea of placing him on IR.
In a related move, the Bills have opened the practice window for offensive lineman Tylan Grable, who has been on IR since the start of the season following a concussion in August.
Reactivating Grable signals that the team is seriously preparing for the possibility that Brown could miss multiple games and that depth at tackle will be tested heavily down the stretch.
Concussion protocol for Dion Dawkins and Maxwell Hairston
Two other important names on the report are left tackle Dion Dawkins and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston, both currently in the NFL concussion protocol.
Maxwell Hairston
Hairston left the game in Houston after suffering a concussion.
He was listed as limited in Wednesday practice.
That status suggests he has reached one of the final stages of the concussion protocol.
For clearance, he must be symptom free after practice and then complete a full contact practice before being evaluated by an independent neurologist.
If he clears all steps, Hairston could be available against the Steelers, which would be a boost for the secondary.
Dion Dawkins
The situation with Dion Dawkins is even more complicated and raises some tough questions.
He was pulled from the last game after league spotters observed potential signs of a head injury.
Dawkins entered the medical tent, was evaluated and then allowed to re enter the game.
Throughout the contest, Josh Allen was under constant pressure and was sacked eight times, the most in a single game in his career, highlighting the struggles of the offensive line.
Now, Dawkins is officially in the concussion protocol and listed as DNP (did not practice).
Until Dawkins is upgraded from DNP to at least limited participation, it will be impossible to know exactly where he stands in the protocol. His availability will have a massive impact on the Bills ability to protect Allen on the road in Pittsburgh.
Dalton Kincaid and Curtis Samuel still not practicing
The Bills passing game may also be shorthanded, as tight end Dalton Kincaid and wide receiver Curtis Samuel are still not practicing.
Dalton Kincaid has been dealing with a hamstring injury since Week 10 and has already missed the last two games. Continued absence from practice is not an encouraging sign for his chances in Week 13.
Curtis Samuel is now battling both elbow and knee issues.
He did not play in Week 12.
In Week 11, he managed only 2 receptions for 19 yards, clearly limited by his health.
If both Kincaid and Samuel remain out, Buffalo will have fewer reliable options in the passing game, forcing Allen to lean more on other receivers and the running backs.
How these injuries could affect Bills vs Steelers in Week 13
The Week 13 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers is a pivotal game for Buffalo in the AFC playoff picture. The packed injury report could impact several key aspects of the game:
Pass protection: With both starting tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, dealing with injuries, the Bills offensive line could be stretched thin against a Steelers pass rush that is traditionally aggressive.
Passing attack: Missing Dalton Kincaid and Curtis Samuel would limit Buffalo’s variety of route concepts and red zone options.
Defensive stability: If Terrel Bernard cannot play, the Bills will miss an important piece in the middle of the defense, especially in run support and short to intermediate coverage.
On the other hand, there are still a couple of practices left before the team departs for Pittsburgh. Some players may progress from DNP to limited or even full participation, improving their chances of suiting up on Sunday.
What Bills fans should watch for the rest of the week
The first Week 13 injury report makes one thing very clear: health will be one of the biggest storylines for the Buffalo Bills going into the Steelers game.
In the coming days, Bills fans should:
Monitor updated injury reports closely, especially on Thursday and Friday.
Watch for status changes such as DNP to limited or limited to full practice.
Pay special attention to the conditions of Josh Allen, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, because their health directly affects the core of the offense.
If a few key starters are able to return or at least play through their injuries, Buffalo will still have a strong chance to deliver a statement performance in Pittsburgh. However, if the Bills head into Acrisure Stadium with a heavily depleted lineup, Week 13 could become one of the toughest tests of their 2025 campaign.
