In a stunning development that’s sure to shake up their playoff push, the Buffalo Bills have officially ruled out two key defensive players for their critical Week 14 showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Sean McDermott delivered the news before Friday’s practice, confirming that defensive end Joey Bosa and linebacker Terrell Bernard will be sidelined for Sunday’s must-win game. With the Bills fighting tooth and nail to keep their postseason dreams alive, this roster bombshell couldn’t come at a worse time—but the team is digging deep into their depth to stay afloat.
The announcements weren’t entirely unexpected, as neither Bosa nor Bernard has practiced at all this week. Bernard, a vital cog in the Bills’ linebacker corps, has been nursing an elbow injury sustained during Thursday Night Football in Week 11 against the Houston Texans. He sat out last week’s gritty matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson stepped up admirably in his absence. Thompson handled defensive play-calling duties while racking up nine combined tackles, including five solo stops, proving the Bills’ defense can adapt under pressure.
Bosa’s absence hits even harder on the edge. The star defensive end tweaked his hamstring last week while chasing down New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Earlier in that same game, Bosa made a game-changing play with a strip sack that led to cornerback Christian Benford’s scoop-and-score touchdown. McDermott expressed optimism midweek, hoping Bosa’s recovery would take just a couple of weeks rather than a full month. However, with the Bengals’ potent offense looming—led by Joe Burrow and a high-powered passing attack—the Bills will miss Bosa’s disruptive presence on the line.
But the injury woes don’t stop there. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer is listed as doubtful, and that’s likely sugarcoating it—he hasn’t practiced this week and only logged one session last week. Tight end Dalton Kincaid carries a questionable tag, but his status is a massive wildcard. Kincaid has already missed three games since injuring his hamstring in a loss to the Miami Dolphins a month ago. He was questionable last week too but didn’t suit up. Adding to the concern, Kincaid aggravated his knee during rehab— the same knee that suffered a PCL injury last season. He was spotted at Friday’s practice wearing a brace and moving gingerly, raising doubts about his readiness.
If Kincaid can’t go, the Bills face a tight end dilemma. Practice squad option Keleki Latu is out of regular-season call-ups, meaning Buffalo would need to activate him to the roster or force Kincaid onto the field to maintain three tight ends. They could lean more on fullback Reggie Gilliam, but offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s game plan was likely built around Kincaid’s potential return. A last-minute setback could force some on-the-fly adjustments against Cincinnati’s stingy defense.
On the offensive line, right tackle Spencer Brown is also questionable with a lingering shoulder injury that kept him out last week. Backup Alec Anderson filled in capably, aside from a couple of false starts, showcasing the depth built by offensive line coach Aaron Kromer. If Brown sits again, Anderson could get the nod once more.
Amid the gloom, there are rays of hope. Left tackle Dion Dawkins has cleared concussion protocol and will reclaim his spot, bolstering the line after Ryan Van Demark’s solid stand-in performance last week. Defensive end A.J. Epenesa, who missed Thursday’s practice with a foot issue, was a full participant on Friday. His availability is a game-changer, as the Bills only have three healthy defensive ends on the active roster right now.
Looking ahead, the Bills must finalize their practice squad elevations by Saturday afternoon. Options include edge rushers Shaq Lawson or Morgan Fox for added pass-rush depth, linebacker Baylon Spector as Bernard insurance (he was elevated last week), or even cornerback Dane Jackson following Ja’Marcus Ingram’s recent departure. These moves won’t tip the hand on questionable players like Kincaid or Brown, but they’ll be crucial in piecing together a competitive unit.
As the Bills cling to their playoff hopes, this makeshift roster—less patchwork than last week’s but still far from full strength—will need to rise to the occasion against a Bengals team hungry for a statement win. Kickoff is set for Sunday, and Buffalo fans will be holding their breath until the final inactives are announced. Can the Bills overcome these setbacks and keep their season alive? Stay tuned—this one’s going down to the wire.