Allen’s Injury Scare: Will the Bills’ Star QB Be Ready for Thursday Night?
The Buffalo Bills are gearing up for a crucial AFC East showdown against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. However, Bills fans held their breath briefly during last week’s game against the New York Jets when quarterback Josh Allen took a hit, resulting in a bloody nose that forced him to leave the field temporarily. The question on everyone’s mind: Allen’s Injury Scare: Will the Bills’ Star QB Be Ready for Thursday Night?
The Bloody Nose Incident
In the game against the Jets, Allen was injured on a designed quarterback run. As he went down, a Jets defender’s hand appeared to make contact with Allen’s face, resulting in a bloody nose. Allen immediately left the field, and backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky stepped in for two plays. Fortunately, Allen was able to return at the start of the second quarter, sporting gauze in his nostril.
“I don’t know what hit me. It was a knee, it was a hand, it was somebody. Helmet just kind of came down right on the bridge of my nose, and just started leaking [blood],” said Allen.
Allen’s Status for Thursday Night
The good news for Bills fans is that Allen is expected to be ready to go for Thursday Night Football. Bills coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Allen is not on the team’s injury report.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” McDermott said.
Allen himself seemed to downplay the injury, stating, “It’s all right. I’m a little bruised up, but we’re all good.” He even joked about potentially wearing a visor for the game, something he hasn’t done since college.
Josh Allen’s Dominance on Thursday Nights
Adding to the optimism surrounding Allen’s availability is his stellar record on Thursday Night Football. Allen boasts a perfect 7-0 record on Thursday nights, averaging 2.7 touchdowns per game and a 107.4 passer rating. His experience and success in these primetime matchups could be a significant advantage for the Bills.
The Importance of Allen’s Health
While Allen has proven his toughness and ability to play through minor injuries, his health remains paramount for the Bills’ success. Allen is the engine of the Buffalo offense, and his absence would be a significant blow to the team’s Super Bowl aspirations.
In 2024, Allen earned the NFL Most Valuable Player award, along with a second-team All-Pro nod. Through two weeks in the 2025 season, Allen is on a MVP trajectory once again. He has thrown for 542 yards and two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a passer rating of 98.4.
Bills’ Backup QB Situation
The Bills’ backup quarterback situation has been a topic of concern. Mitchell Trubisky is currently the primary backup, but some analysts rank him low among NFL backups. If Allen were to miss significant time, the Bills’ offense could struggle.
In a preseason game, Trubisky and Mike White “combined to score zero points, and the Bills’ offense looked lifeless against the Bears’ defense.”
Thursday Night Football Matchup: Bills vs. Dolphins
The Bills (2-0) are set to host the Miami Dolphins (0-2) on Thursday Night Football. The Bills are coming off a 30-10 win over the New York Jets, while Miami lost to the New England Patriots 33-27 in Week 2.
The Bills are currently favored by 12 points, with an over/under of 49.5 points.
Keys to the Game
For the Bills, a key to victory will be establishing the run game and protecting Allen. In their win against the Jets, the Bills rushed for 224 yards, with James Cook leading the way with 133 yards.
“He’s an absolute stud,” Allen said of Cook. “He makes us a better team.”
Defensively, the Bills will need to contain the Dolphins’ explosive passing attack, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
The Dolphins will need to find a way to slow down Cook, limit Allen as a runner, and account for the dynamic vertical passing game.
Injury Concerns for Both Teams
In addition to Allen’s nose injury, the Bills have other injury concerns. Linebacker Matt Milano is dealing with a pectoral injury, and defensive tackle Ed Oliver is nursing an ankle injury. Both players missed practice this week, and their status for Thursday’s game is uncertain.
The Dolphins also have injuries to monitor.
Final Thoughts
Despite the injury scare, Josh Allen is expected to be ready to lead the Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. Allen’s health is crucial to the Bills’ success, and his stellar record on Thursday nights provides optimism for a strong performance. With a key divisional matchup on the horizon, the Bills will look to Allen to guide them to a 3-0 start.