Getty

Josh Allen takes a hit against the Houston Texans.

The Buffalo Bills have seen a host of injuries impact the defensive side of the ball, and now their most important player on offense will be forced to play through some pain.

The team announced on Wednesday that quarterback Josh Allen was playing through some general soreness, listing him on the injury report for the week. The update comes after the Bills quarterback had a big injury scare in last week’s loss to the Houston Texans, going down in pain after taking a hit from behind.

Allen has been forced to play through bumps and bruises in earlier seasons, sometimes being forced to adjust his throwing mechanics to account for the injuries. It’s not clear yet how serious the latest injury might be, but it comes at a critical time for the team’s playoff hopes.

Josh Allen Limited in Practice

As reporter Matt Bove noted in a post on X, Allen was seen wearing a protective wrap on his throwing arm at practice on Wednesday.

“Josh Allen is on the injury report because of ‘general soreness,’ ” Bove wrote. “You can see here the wrap around his elbow/right forearm. Sean McDermott said he would be a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.”

Allen had a scare in the first half of last week’s 23-19 loss, writhing in pain on the turf after being tackled from behind. He appeared to fall hard, with his right hand trapped underneath his helmet when he hit the turf.

Allen was seen telling the team’s medical staff on the sidelines that he was all right, and he went back into the game on the next drive.

The Bills quarterback has not missed a game since his rookie season in 2018, but has played through some nagging injuries in several seasons. He suffered a shoulder injury in 2023 that forced him to adjust his throwing motion, and the next offseason he worked with a sports science firm to correct the inefficiencies that set in as a result.

Josh Allen Ready to Play, But Bills Could Miss Other Players

Allen downplayed his injuries, telling reporters on Wednesday that he doesn’t believe it will affect his status for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“All good. Yeah, we’re ready to roll,” he said, via The Associated Press.

Allen added that he needs to do a better job of avoiding hits.

“Ultimately, I’m trying to do whatever I can to help this team win football games,” Allen said. “But understanding, again, trying not to take the hits is the utmost important thing and just being smart in that aspect.”

While Allen may be ready to play, the Bills could be without some other key players after injuries in last week’s game. Left tackle Dion Dawkins was placed in concussion protocol after last week’s game, while right tackle Spencer Brown is nursing a shoulder injury.

The Bills fell to seventh place in the AFC with last week’s loss, putting them on the fringes of playoff contention. They risk falling out entirely with a loss to the Steelers, and would need a win to keep alive their slim hopes of passing the New England Patriots for the lead in the AFC East.