The Buffalo Bills have 33 defensive players between their active roster and reserve lists.
Eight are on injured reserve, four exited their most recent game to be evaluated for injuries and one did not play due to injury. That left 20 healthy players in their 23-19 loss to the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football.
“Our guys are ready to go. They don’t flinch,” Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said a day after the loss. “We rep it that way. They know that they’re a play away. And everybody’s held to the same standard here.”
Buffalo has 10 days to get healthy before it plays the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and could be facing its second straight backup quarterback.
Pittsburgh starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not play in Week 12 due to a broken bone in his left wrist. Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf left Sunday’s game twice with an ankle injury.
Buffalo travels to play Pittsburgh at 4:25 p.m. Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.
NFL teams have to submit a report on practice participation on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a Sunday 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. Friday for Sunday games.
Here is the Bills vs. Steelers injury report for Week 13:
Buffalo Bills injury report for Week 13
Dalton Kincaid, TE, hamstring
Dalton Kincaid has missed the last two games since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 10.
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.
Terrel Bernard, LB, elbow
Terrel Bernard walked into the locker room holding his right arm in the third quarter and returned to the sideline with his arm in a sling.
The Bills’ defensive captain was injured after being in on a tackle for a 1-yard loss on Houston running back Nick Chubb. Bernard lied on his stomach in pain and rolled onto his back holding his right arm as he was tended to by athletic trainers. He got to his feet and walked into the locker room with a trainer holding his right arm.
He was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Bernard is considered week-to-week, according to Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
Bernard has 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one interception and two fumble recoveries in 10 games in 2025.
Spencer Brown, OT, shoulder
Spencer Brown was evaluated for an injury after grabbing his right shoulder in the third quarter and was cleared to return. Brown struggled after re-entering the game and was replaced in the fourth quarter by Ryan Van Demark.
Brown was spotted with his arm in a sling in the locker room after the game.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Nov. 21 that Brown “potentially” could go on injured reserve.
Maxwell Hairston, CB, concussion
Maxwell Hairston is in the league’s concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in Week 12.
He was injured in the third quarter when his helmet crashed into the side of Houston running back Woody Marks. Hairston did not come back into the game.
Josh Allen, QB, shoulder
Josh Allen experienced an injury scare in the loss to the Texans in Week 12.
Late in the first quarter, Allen stepped up in the pocket and cocked his arm back to throw near the line of scrimmage when he was walloped by Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. from behind.
Allen face-planted to the ground, kicked his legs while on his stomach and then rolled onto his back still kicking his leg in pain and holding his hands together.
The quarterback walked to the sideline and took a seat on the bench. He put his helmet on, warmed up on the sideline and returned for the Bills’ next series.
“We’re good,” Allen said in his postgame press conference when asked if he was injured. He said he landed on his left shoulder and it “went a little numb on me.”
“Josh Allen is sore, but we expect him to be fine,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Nov. 21.
Christian Benford, CB, shoulder
Christian Benford walked off the field with trainers and went into the blue medical tent late in second quarter against the Texans in Week 12. He was evaluated for a shoulder injury and cleared to return for the second half.
A.J. Epenesa, DE, neck
A.J. Epenesa was evaluated for a neck injury in the second half and was cleared to return against the Texans in Week 12.
Epenesa finished with three tackles and played 24 defensive snaps and one snap on special teams.
Connor McGovern, C
Connor McGovern went down in third third quarter on a play which Josh Allen was sacked but he did not miss any time.
Curtis Samuel, WR, elbow/neck
Curtis Samuel did not play in Week 12 due to elbow/neck injuries.
Phidarian Mathis, DT, shoulder
Phidarian Mathis was inactive with a shoulder injury in Week 11 and Week 12.
Shaq Thompson, LB, hamstring
Shaq Thompson returned in Week 12 after being out three straight games after reaggravating a hamstring in practice in the week leading up to Week 9.
Thompson posted four tackles while playing 34 defensive snaps and 11 special teams snaps against the Texans.
The 11th-year linebacker initially had a nagging hamstring injury in training camp.
Buffalo Bills injured reserve
Mecole Hardman, WR, calf
Mecole Hardman was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 20 after playing one game the Bills.
He was injured in Week 11 and 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.
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, DT, Achilles
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 went unclaimed on waivers.
Pittsburgh Steelers injury report for Week 13
Aaron Rodgers, QB, wrist
Aaron Rodgers did not play in the Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears. Rodgers suffered a broken bone in his left wrist in Week 11.
The 41-year-old quarterback came into Week 12 as questionable after logging limited practices on Thursday and Friday leading up to the game but was inactive.
“He fought his tail off all week, but that’s the prudent play for us to make as a collective,” Steelers coach Mike Tomin said prior to kickoff against the Bears. “So, he won’t be playing this week.”
Mason Rudolph started at quarterback and completed 24 of 31 passes for 171 yards with one touchdown and one interception as Pittsburgh fell 31-28 to Chicago.
DK Metcalf, WR, ankle
DK Metcalf hopped off the field with a left ankle injury in the second quarter of the loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Metcalf was evaluated by athletic trainers on the bench and went into the blue medical tent.
He returned to the game but exited in the third quarter when his ankle was rolled on while blocking on an end around to tight end Jonnu Smith.
Metcalf came back into the game and finished with five receptions for 22 yards and two carries for 12 yards and a touchdown.
Alex Highsmith, LB, pectoral
Alex Highsmith has missed the last two games with a pectoral injury.
Highsmith, 28, has 24 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble in seven games in 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers injured reserve
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills vs. Steelers injury update: Buffalo searching for healthy bodies on defense
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
