Bills, Josh Allen Dealt Crushing Injury News Before Steel...

By Rowan Fisher-ShottonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

On Friday, the Buffalo Bills confirmed they have ruled out four players for Sunday’s trip to Pittsburgh — left tackle Dion Dawkins (concussion), right tackle Spencer Brown (shoulder), linebacker Terrel Bernard, and wide receiver Curtis Samuel.

A 6-5, 320-pound Pro Bowler, Dawkins has been the anchor on Buffalo’s left edge since getting drafted 63rd overall by the team in 2017, and remains central in both pass protection and the run scheme.

Brown, the 6-8, former third-round pick who has started most games at right tackle since 2021, has been Buffalo’s standard right-side protector and a frequent snap-count leader.

Losing both starting tackles simultaneously is rare and consequential for QB Josh Allen, especially given that Buffalo just allowed eight sacks to the Houston Texans with both Dawkins and Brown active.

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Read More: Bills Announce Josh Allen News Following Concerning Injury Scare

Allen enters Week 13 of the NFL season having thrown for 2,709 yards, 18 TDs, and nine INTs, along with 371 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores.

Running back James Cook is also on pace for a career year, rushing for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns, along with 203 receiving yards and a receiving score, with six games still remaining on the calendar.

Both remain the key drivers behind Buffalo's offense, and they've each enjoyed productive seasons thanks in part to the protection they've received from Dawkins and Brown.

Without their starting tackles, the Bills' quick-passing windows and rollout/game-planning will be tested against a Steelers unit that can rush the passer and force mistakes.

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Backup Ryan Van Demark is in line to start at one tackle spot, with Tylan Grable a possibility if the team activates him from IR; if not, the responsibility will likely fall on sixth-round rookie Chase Lundt.

Wide receiver Josh Palmer (ankle) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) are listed as questionable for Sunday as well, with both players being limited in practice on Friday.

Buffalo sits at 7-4 and is chasing playoff seeding and an AFC East battle, making this game in Pittsburgh a near-must-win to maintain momentum and protect home-field hopes in January.

Failure to protect Allen in this spot could reverberate through Buffalo’s postseason outlook, intensify debates around the coaching staff, and influence how the front office is evaluated once the season ends.

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