Something remarkable happened in the Buffalo Bills victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Sure, Josh Allen accounted for six touchdowns. But the Bills finally didn’t lose a single defensive players due to injury.
Five players returned from injury, including starting cornerback Taron Johnson and Christian Benford and starting defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, and their presence was immediately felt. Buffalo’s pass defense held Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield to 173 yards passing with an interception and Jones’ strip sack on Mayfield with less than two minutes to play clinched the Bills’ win.
Buffalo’s rejuvenated pass defense may face its second backup quarterback in five games.
Houston Texans starter C.J. Stroud has missed two straight games since suffering a concussion in Week 9. Stroud was hit while sliding on a scramble by
Denver Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine and Stroud’s head slammed against the turf. The initial flag for unnecessary roughness was picked up after review because there was
no contact with Stroud’s head or neck area
. Stroud lied on his back as he was tended to by trainers.
Backup quarterback Davis Milles has led Houston to two straight victories starting in place of Stroud.
Buffalo plays at Houston at 8:15 p.m. on
Thursday Night Football.
NFL teams have to submit a report on practice participation on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for a Thursday game. There are three levels of practice participation that can be designated: did not participate, limited participation and full participation.
A game status report is due by 4 p.m. Wednesday for Thursday games.
Here is the Bills vs. Texans injury report for Week 12:
Buffalo Bills injury report for Week 12
Mecole Hardman, WR, calf
Mecole Hardman, playing in his first game with the Bills, did not return after suffering a calf injury in the third quarter. Hardman’s first touch with was a 61-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. He muffed a punt that resulted in a lost fumble the third quarter, which is when he suffered the calf injury.
“We’ll see how he’s doing and where that takes us over the next couple of days and weeks,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said in his postgame press conference.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, hamstring
Dalton Kincaid did not play in Week 11 due to
a hamstring injury he suffered the week before.
He hobbled off the field grabbing his right hamstring in the third quarter of Week 10 and walked to the Bills locker room with trainers. Kincaid did not return.
Kincaid, who missed Week 6 with an oblique injury, has 29 catches for 448 receiving yards and a team-high four touchdown receptions.
Shaq Thompson, LB, hamstring
Shaq Thompson has been out three straight games after reaggravating a hamstring in practice in the week leading up to Week 9.
The 11th-year linebacker initially had a nagging hamstring injury in training camp.
Thompson has 26 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in six games this season.
Joshua Palmer, WR, knee/ankle
Joshua Palmer returned in Week 11 after missing three straight games with an ankle injury. He had two receptions for 17 yards in the victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Taron Johnson, CB, groin
Taron Johnson was back in Week 11 after missing two straight games with a groin injury. He had six tackles in his return.
Christian Benford, CB, groin
Christian Benford returned in Week 11 after missing a game due to a groin injury. He played all 70 defensive snaps and had one tackle in the victory over Tampa Bay.
A.J. Epenesa, DE, concussion
A.J. Epenesa played in Week 11 after being out one game with a concussion. He recorded three tackles on 37 defensive snaps against Tampa Bay.
DaQuan Jones, DT, calf
DaQuan Jones played his first snaps in Week 11 since hurting his calf in Week 6 pregame warmups. Jones finished with four tackles, a sack and forced fumble, including a strip sack on Baker Mayfield late in the fourth quarter that sealed the Bills’ 44-32 win over the Buccaneers.
Jones suited up in the loss to the Dolphins in Week 10 but did not make an appearance.
T.J. Sanders, DT, knee
T.J. Sanders returned from injured reserve in Week 11 after a six-game absence. He recorded three tackles on 19 defensive snaps.
The rookie originally suffered a knee injury in practice on Oct. 1 that required surgery.
Phidarian Mathis, DT, shoulder
Phidarian Mathis was inactive with a shoulder injury in Week 11.
Buffalo Bills injured reserve
Landon Jackson, DE, knee
Landon Jackson was injured on his second defensive snap against the Dolphins in Week 10.
The rookie third-round pick came off the left edge on a run by Ollie Gordon and fought off a block before falling backward. He immediately brought his right knee to his chest and grabbed it in pain and trainers evaluated him on the field.
Jackson was ruled out for the game shortly after. He returned to the Bills sideline in the second half with a brace on his right knee and using crutches.
His injury left the Bills with as many injured defensive ends (Jackson, A.J. Epenesa, Michael Hoecht) as healthy defensive ends (Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, Javon Solomon).
Jackson has played in three games with 30 defensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps and is yet to record his first career tackle.
Ed Oliver, DT, biceps
Ed Oliver suffered a torn biceps injury which will require surgery and is out indefinitely. He was placed on on injured reserve on Oct. 28 and is eligible to return in Week 13.
Oliver was hurt in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Oliver, who had a sack on the first possession of the game, went into the medical tent and FOX cameras showed him speaking with trainers and pointing to his left arm. He returned to the sideline with his arm in a sling under his hooded sweatshirt.
Oliver is tied for the team lead with three sacks despite only plying in three of the Bills’ seven games.
He missed four games earlier this season (Weeks 2-5) with an ankle injury after he got stepped on in practice on Sept. 10.
Taylor Rapp, S, knee
Taylor Rapp was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Rapp was battling an injury since training camp and “it got to the point where he can’t be himself.”
Rapp ha 26 tackles in six games this season.
Michael Hoecht, DE, Achilles
Michael Hoecht tore his right Achilles in the fourth quarter of the win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
He suffered the non-contact injury while taking one step into his rush off the left edge with 14:25 remaining. Hoecht was unable to put pressure on his right leg. He waved off the cart that drove into the field to take him to the locker room. Instead, Hoecht hobbled off with the help of trainers and stayed on the bench with his teammates for the rest of the game.
Hoecht, a free agent signing in the offseason, was suspended for the first six games of the season.
He has five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in two games.
“It’s a big loss,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said in his postgame press conference. “I feel terrible for him.”
Tyler Bass, K, left hip/groin
Tyler Bass was placed on injured reserve on Friday, Sept. 5 after he was unable to practice the day prior. Bass missed most of training camp with pelvic soreness, sitting out from July 28 to Aug. 19 before returning for the preseason finale. He went 3-for-4 in that game, connecting from 37, 37 and 39 yards before pushing a 26-yarder wide right.
Bass was eligible to return in Week 5 against the New England Patriots but has not had his 21-day practice window opened.
Matt Prater, 41, signed to the Bills practice squad, was elevated for Week 1 and made a 32-yard game-winning field goal with no time left to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in Week 1. Prater has since been signed to the active roster and is 10-for-11 on field goals and 17-for-17 on extra points through six games.
Cameron Johnston, P, foot/ankle
Cameron Johnston suffered left foot and ankle injuries after taking a hit to his left plant leg on a punt in the fourth quarter in the Week 4 win over the Saints. The Bills placed him on injured reserve on Sept. 30 and signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
New Orleans linebacker Nephi Sewell crashed into Johnston’s left leg and was flagged for a roughing the kicker penalty. Johnston, 33, immediately slammed his helmet to the turf in frustration before hobbling off with trainers.
The athletic staff put a brace on Johnston’s left leg and he stretched out his leg on the sideline. Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky put his helmet on in case he needed to take over holding duties on a field goal but Johnston came back into the game to hold for Matt Prater’s 35-yard field goal that gave the Bills a 31-19 lead. He walked to the X-ray room after the game.
Johnston was carted off the field with a season-ending right knee injury in Week 1 last season after taking a low shot while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dorian Strong, CB, neck
Dorian Strong played in four games with one start before suffering a neck injury and being placed on injured reserve on Oct. 4. The rookie sixth-round pick was eligible to return in Week 10.
Damar Hamlin, S, pectoral
Damar Hamlin suffered pectoral injury in practice Oct. 9 and was placed on injured reserve.
He was eligible to return in Week 11, although Bills coach Sean McDermott said it’s “up in the air” if Hamlin’s injury is season-ending.
Hamlin started 14 games in 2024 but has played a reserve role this year with Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp as the starting safeties. He has one tackle in five games.
DeWayne Carter suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the entire 2025 season.
Carter, a 2024 third-round pick, recorded 14 tackles, five tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and a pass defended in 11 games last year.
Tylan Grable, OL, concussion
The 2024 sixth-rounder has been in the concussion protocol since Aug. 7 and is on IR with a return designation.
Wande Owens, S, undisclosed
The undrafted rookie was waived Aug. 23 with an injury designation and
Houston Texans injury report for Week 12
C.J. Stroud, QB, concussion
C.J. Stroud has missed the last two games while in the league concussion protocol. He suffered the concussion in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos and hasn’t practiced since.
Stroud may not be able to clear the protocol on the short week against the Bills, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday.
It’s the second documented concussion of Stroud’s career. His first was in his rookie season in 2023.
Stroud has completed 66.5% of his passes for 1,702 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games this season.
Jalen Pitre, S, concussion
Jalen Pitre has been out for two straight games while navigating the league’s concussion protocol.
The 2022 second-round pick is tied for the team-lead with three interceptions and has recorded 46 tackles in eight games.
Ka’imi Fairbairn, K, quadriceps
Ka’imi Fairbairn did not play in Weeks 10 and 11 after suffering a quadriceps injury in a Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos. He has not practiced since.
Despite missing two games, Fairbairn is tied for second in the NFL with 22 field goals made.
Ed Ingram, G, knee
Ed Ingram did not play in in Week 10 or Week 11. The starting guard logged back-to-back limited practices leading up the Week 11 victory against the Tennessee Titans.
Jamal Hill, LB, hamstring
Jamal Hill suffered a hamstring injury and did not return in the Week 11 win over the Tennessee Titans. Hill is a core special teamer who has played 201 snaps on special teams this season.
Houston Texans injured reserve
- Harrison Bryant, TE, neck/shoulder
- Folorunso Fatukasi, DT, shoulder
- Kyonte Hamilton, DT, ankle
- Brevin Jordan, TE, knee
- Jaylin Smith, CB, hamstring
- M.J. Stewart, S, quadriceps
- Darrell Taylor, DE, ankle
- Justin Watson, WR, Achilles
Houston Texans non-football injury
- Joe Mixon, RB, foot/ankle
Houston Texans physically unable to perform
- Tank Dell, WR, knee
- Kurt Hinish, DT, undisclosed
- Jimmie Ward, S, foot
Houston Texans reserve/retired
- Ronald Darby, CB
Broncos Star Courtland Sutton Showed Off Game-Changing Chemistry With Bo Nix
Courtland Sutton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix showed signs of a dynamic partnership this preseason, giving the Broncos’ offense reason for optimism heading into 2025.
IMAGE: Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) pulls in a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High. / Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images
The Denver Broncos wrapped up an undefeated preseason, going 3-0, and while those games don’t count in the standings, they can still tell us a lot-especially when it comes to chemistry between young quarterbacks and their top targets. If what we saw against the Saints is any indication, Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton are already speaking the same football language-and that should have Broncos fans feeling pretty optimistic.
Let’s start with Sutton. The veteran wideout played like someone who’s still got plenty in the tank.
Yes, he dropped a pass early in the game-a reception he usually hauls in-but he bounced back the way experienced playmakers do: with authority. Sutton followed the miscue by delivering a series of strong plays, showing off the kind of physical, vertical receiving that’s become his signature.
That’s the Sutton experience in a nutshell-some ups and downs, but when he’s locked in, he’s a handful for any defense.
Nix, for his part, looked composed and confident in his third straight preseason win. Denver’s starting offense got three series to get into rhythm, and they made the most of the opportunities. The final drive ended with a touchdown-thanks to none other than Sutton-and gave us a strong look at how Denver plans to build this offense: with Nix distributing the ball and leaning early and often on Sutton’s size and route precision.
The highlight of the night? A 43-yard strike from Nix to Sutton in the first quarter that showcased both the rookie quarterback’s poise and his connection with his lead receiver. Nix dropped it in perfectly, and Sutton did the rest-using that big frame of his to shield the defender and haul it in.
Then came the payoff: Early in the second quarter, the two linked up again, this time for a touchdown. It was a textbook red zone execution-Nix with a tight window throw, Sutton with the body control and hands to finish the play. If this is the version of the Broncos’ passing game we’re going to see this season, then don’t sleep on this team being sneaky-dangerous.
Looking back at 2024, Sutton enjoyed the most productive season of his career. He set high-water marks with 81 catches and 1,081 receiving yards, while also finding the end zone eight times.
Just as importantly, he caught 60% of his targets-only the second time he’s hit that mark in his NFL career. While some of that speaks to improvements in quarterback play, it also reflects Sutton’s growth as a consistent contributor.
He’s not just the big-play, downfield threat anymore-he’s rounding out into a true No. 1 presence.
And perhaps most encouraging of all: durability. Sutton played all 17 games in 2024, the first time he’s managed that since 2021.
Availability is key, especially for a young quarterback who needs steady, reliable targets. That consistency could be a major asset for Bo Nix as the rookie adjusts to NFL speed in his first full regular-season slate.
With new contributors joining the offense and a grounded, determined Sutton leading the receiving corps, it’s not wild to think we could see an even bigger season from him in 2025. He’s approaching 30, yes-but if anything, he looks like a veteran just hitting his stride. And if the chemistry with Nix continues to build like we saw this preseason, the Broncos may have found themselves not just a competent offense-but a dangerous one.