ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen did not participate in practice for a second straight day as he deals with an injury to his right elbow.
Allen did briefly walk out of the team’s field house wearing a sleeve on his right arm, but he was not in practice attire. Allen did not participate at all in Wednesday’s practice but was out on the field with the team during the portion closed to the media.
“You wouldn’t even think that there was nothing wrong. He’s around here, he’s still smiling, he’s still joking around, He’s still just being Josh,” left tackle Dion Dawkins said. “… It’s amazing how Josh carries himself as a person and overall, like as a human. and he’s making us all confident.”
Allen is dealing with a right elbow injury to the ulnar collateral ligament and related nerves, sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on Monday. His status remains uncertain for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Bills coach Sean McDermott described Allen as “day-to-day” and said, “We’ll see,” when asked if the quarterback will play vs. the Vikings. Allen has not missed a game since 2018, when he missed four also because of a UCL injury in his right elbow.
Former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum would start in Allen’s place if he is unable to play. Keenum won two games with the Cleveland Browns last year.
“I’m doing the same thing I do every week, I prepare to play every week, every day, every period, every practice, every meeting,” Keenum said. “So it’s the same just got a few more reps today. I feel great, feel great with the communication, the mindset of the team with [offensive coordinator Ken] Dorsey and the communication from Sean everybody and taking it a day at a time.”
Allen was injured during the last drive of the 20-17 loss to the New York Jets when defensive lineman Bryce Huff hit Allen’s throwing arm, resulting in a strip sack recovered by Buffalo.
After the hit, Allen was seen holding his right elbow and trying to shake out his arm.
Two plays after the hit, Allen threw a 69.3-yard pass intended for wide receiver Gabe Davis — the longest pass attempt over the past six seasons, per NFL Next Gen stats. It fell incomplete and ended the game.
The quarterback has accounted for 82% of the Bills’ total yardage and 92% of the offense’s touchdowns, both highest in the league.
Despite that, the offense won’t necessarily look dramatically different if Allen can’t play.
“For the most part, [the offense] doesn’t change,” wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie said. “Case is gonna go out there and throw the ball, throw the ball to his guys, and he’s gonna have fun. I mean, he probably can’t run as good as Josh, but I’m pretty sure if he had to get into open field, he’ll make a couple moves. … I feel like I’m comfortable with Case, I’m pretty sure everybody else is comfortable with Case and if Case is playing on Sunday, then that’s what we’re gonna roll with.”
The Bills are dealing with a variety of other injuries. Safety Jordan Poyer (elbow), pass-rusher Greg Rousseau (high ankle sprain), linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (groin/heel) and cornerback Kaiir Elam (ankle) also all missed practice Thursday.
