ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills breathed a sigh of relief Sunday as star quarterback Josh Allen shook off another injury scare during their 24-21 win against the New England Patriots. Allen suffered what initially appeared to be a troubling hand injury late in the fourth quarter, leaving fans and players anxious about the state of their MVP-caliber quarterback.
During the final moments of the game, Allen was seen flexing his right hand and receiving immediate medical attention on the sidelines after taking a hit to his throwing elbow. The injury, which Allen later clarified as hitting his "funny bone," created temporary loss of feeling and had fans wondering if history was repeating itself. After all, Allen had dealt with hand issues throughout the season, including earlier injuries to his non-throwing hand.
“Got a helmet to the funny bone,” Allen said post-game, explaining, “I went to throw the next one, and I had no feeling in the hand.” His performance immediately following the injury, which included a wobbly third-down pass intended for tight end Dalton Kincaid, reflected the nerves and uncertainty he faced on the field. With the temperature at kickoff hovering around 8 degrees Fahrenheit (-13 degrees Celsius), playing conditions only added to the discomfort.
“When it’s cold like this, the more you leave it out, the number the whole hand gets,” Allen noted, discussing the unusual sensations he felt after the hit. He managed to stay focused and finished the game completing 16 of 29 passes for 154 yards, alongside one touchdown and one interception.
But the moment of concern was significant. Following the hit, backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky began to warm up on the sidelines as Allen sought to regain feeling in his hand. “Fortunately, it was a longer drive where I was able to get some feeling and sensation back,” Allen explained, emphasizing the importance of the time taken by the Patriots' offense to respond, as it allowed him to gather himself.
Allen’s coach, Sean McDermott, echoed confidence in the training staff's assessment of Allen’s condition, stating, “They cleared him to go back and play... I trust them, and they gave the green light to go back out there.” McDermott's comfort with the team’s medical protocol was evident, reaffirming the rigorous assessments necessary for player safety during high-stakes matches. This incident marked yet another occurrence of Allen's resilience and the medical team's adeptness.
The quarterback's injury scare wasn't the only story from the game. With this victory, Allen tied Russell Wilson for the most wins by any quarterback within their first seven seasons, celebrating his 75th career win. Buffalo now stands with an impressive 12-3 record, still clinging to hopes of catching top-seeded Kansas City in the playoffs.
Allen’s history with injuries has been documented extensively this season. He tackled multiple challenges earlier, including four weeks on the injury report and evaluations for head injuries and shoulder concerns. A particularly awkward fall against the Detroit Lions also raised alarms, though he avoided significant setbacks. Saturday’s events merely added to the narrative of Allen's toughness on the field, but the repeated injury scares inevitably raised the question of long-term viability for the quarterback as the playoffs approach.
Fans criticized Allen’s overall performance against New England; his completion percentage dipped below 60%. Some attributed it to stress caused by the injury scare and the high-pressure environment typical of divisional rivalries. Despite this, the Bills managed to overcome their rival’s challenge.
Allen’s post-game comments revealed insights beyond physical recovery. Reflecting on the game, he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and adapting to unexpected challenges, stating, “It took a good five to ten minutes to get feeling back, just making sure to get some blood flow back.” Acknowledging the collective effort of his teammates, he pointed out the adaptations made on both sides of the ball during the uncertainty of his injury.
For the Bills, every game counts as they head toward postseason battles. The stakes only grow higher, and the mental and physical health of key players like Allen remains pivotal. Monitoring his condition will be equally important leading up to their next game amid the backdrop of playoff contention.
“I’m just glad it’s gone now,” Allen remarked, which left his fans hopeful for the road ahead. With injuries plaguing many teams as the season wraps up, Allen’s presence on the field not only boosts the Bills’ chances but also provides the leadership necessary during this intense time. The Bills will continue to manage his health carefully as they prepare for future challenges.
