Josh Allen was sore Monday.
The Buffalo Bills quarterback took a beating in the 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC wild-card round, adding right hand and knee injuries to his already ailing right foot. But coach Sean McDermott didn’t even entertain the notion of Allen missing Saturday’s AFC divisional round against the Denver Broncos.
“I’m sure, as you know, he’s going to do everything he can to play,” McDermott said in an almost sarcastic tone.
The Bills may get a few reinforcements for the game, though. McDermott announced defensive tackle Ed Oliver and wide receiver Curtis Samuel would have their 21-day windows to return from injured reserve this week.
Oliver was dominant in his limited action this season, with a sack in all three games. He had six tackles — three for a loss — a sack and a forced fumble in the season opener before a foot injury sustained in practice kept him out four games.
Oliver returned for 1 ½ and tallied four tackles for a loss and two sacks before a torn biceps landed him on injured reserve. He also had to get meniscus surgery after getting injured while rehabbing.
Neck and rib injuries first injured in Week 4 led to Samuel landing on injured reserve Nov. 28. He was a healthy scratch for the first three games and then battled injuries and a crowded receiver room, making seven catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in six games.
Since signing a three-year, $24 million contract in March 2024, Samuel has missed 11 games due to injury and has just 38 receptions for 324 yards and two touchdowns in 20 games with the Bills.
But the Bills placed receiver Joshua Palmer — last offseason’s big addition — on season-ending injured reserve for ankle injuries that lingered from Week 6. And McDermott confirmed Gabriel Davis tore his ACL following a hit from Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard while trying to catch a pass.
Safety Jordan Poyer, who was nursing a hamstring injury already, aggravated it and left early against the Jaguars, is week-to-week, already ruled out against the Broncos.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf), cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle), running back Ty Johnson (ankle) and receiver Tyrell Shavers (knee) are all improving, according to McDermott.