Prior to the Bills’ win over the Patriots on Sunday, details emerged on an injury Josh Allen had been playing through for most of the campaign. The MVP favorite’s left (i.e. non-throwing) hand had been fractured until recently, although the ailment did not affect his level of play.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Allen suffered the injury in Week 1, and he appeared on subsequent injury reports for several weeks as a result. The 28-year-old remained on Buffalo’s injury reports past the team’s Week 12 bye, but he did not miss any game action as a result of the ailment. By the time the Bills took on the Patriots Sunday, the fracture had healed.
Clarifying the nature of Allen’s injury is notable since many quarterbacks miss at least some game action with hand injuries (even when the non-throwing hand is the one affected). The two-time Pro Bowler has led an offense which ranks second in the NFL in points and seventh in yardage, posting top-10 averages through the air and on the ground. Doing so has put him squarely in contention to win his first career MVP award, and having had much of his success at less than full health could help his chances of winning the award.
Allen’s left hand injury is now behind him, but during yesterday’s game he took a hard hit to his right arm. He managed to remain in the game but said afterwards he had “no feeling” in his right hand for a period after the hit. Allen delivered less of a statistical output than he has in many other games this season, but it was sufficient (along with the Bills’ performance on defense) to pull out a win. His status over the coming days will be worth monitoring, but given his ability to remain in the lineup so far this year, missed time would come as a surprise in Allen’s case.
The Bills’ win kept them in contention to land the AFC’s No. 1 seed. With games remaining against the Jets and Patriots to close out the campaign, a 14-3 record is feasible considering Buffalo’s head-to-head advantage over Kansas City. Regardless of how the race for the first-round bye shakes out, Allen’s ability to maintain his level of play through the remainder of the campaign into the postseason will be a key storyline.
I knew it!!!!!!!!!!! Earlier on in the season he had fingers taped over that new glove he’s been wearing. I haven’t seen that in weeks though. Now hopefully that throwing hand isn’t messed up. I’m a bit worried about that.
That explains those ravens and Texans games a little bit. Can’t explain away yesterday though. Oof, that was ugly. I’m not certain Josh is a great cold weather qb actually.
Don’t worry, Allen will have plenty of time to rest up should the Chiefs lock up the AFC #1 seed on Xmas Day.
Bills still need one more win to wrap up the 2 seed. He’s playing against the Jets. Probably sitting against the Pats week 18.
I don’t think 1 is dead.
Pittsburg now has incentive to play tough in Christmas day. Its not crazy to see a win there.
That sets up an interesting week18 against Denver. ( who can lose this week, but we gotta see what happens with Miami and Indy)
Its the best possible scenario as a Bills fan – but sone moving parts included.