The Buffalo Bills are dealing with the loss of three key players who will not be available to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend in Sunday’s NFL Wild Card playoff matchup, a situation that has generated concern within the organization led by head coach Sean McDermott.
Although important figures such as quarterback Josh Allen and linebacker Matt Milano are healthy and fully cleared for the game, uncertainty at multiple positions-particularly on the defensive side of the ball and within the running game-adds an extra layer of difficulty for the Bills as they prepare for their first postseason contest.
Buffalo enters the playoffs as one of the favorites to continue advancing, ranking as the fourth-highest scoring team in the league at 28.3 points per game. They hold the same fourth-place ranking in total yards per game, while leading the NFL in average time of possession per contest, underscoring their ability to control games when operating at full strength.
Which players will the Bills be without against Jacksonville?
Leading the list of absences is linebacker Terrel Bernard, who has officially been ruled out due to a calf injury. Bernard has been a foundational piece of the Bills’ defense throughout the season, recording 65 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, one interception, and two fumble recoveries before missing time due to injury. His presence in the heart of the defense is vital for maintaining structure and discipline, particularly against physical rushing attacks.
Another confirmed absence is cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who continues to deal with an ankle injury that kept him sidelined from practice all week. Hairston had been carving out an increasingly significant role in the secondary, rotating alongside veterans such as Tre’Davious White and Christian Benford. With Hairston unavailable, the Bills’ cornerback unit takes a hit in depth and rotational flexibility.
Safety Damar Hamlin remains in the midst of a difficult stretch and will once again be unavailable, as he continues his recovery after being recently activated from the reserve list due to a pectoral injury. His inability to return to the field delays what the team had hoped would be an important reinforcement in the defensive backfield.
Beyond the players already ruled out, Buffalo has also listed several contributors as “questionable” heading into the matchup. Those include running back Ty Johnson (ankle), wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle), kicker Matt Prater (quadriceps), and linebacker Shaq Thompson (neck). Of particular concern is Prater, who experienced issues during the final week of the regular season and did not participate in Friday’s practice. His availability will be closely monitored up until kickoff.
The Bills now face a complicated challenge against Jacksonville, as these absences could have critical consequences for Sean McDermott’s overall game plan. Injuries at key positions may create vulnerabilities within the scheme, openings that the Jaguars could exploit in pursuit of a surprise result-one that would abruptly end Josh Allen’s playoff run in a season where he has been widely regarded as one of the leading contenders in the league.
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