If you’ve been watching the Buffalo Bills this season, you know the vibe is usually "Josh Allen will figure it out." But as we head into the Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos this Saturday, the Buffalo Bills depth chart looks more like a high-stakes game of Jenga than a settled NFL roster. One wrong move and the whole thing feels like it could wobble, especially with the news that Gabe Davis is officially done for the year.
A torn ACL in the Wild Card win over Jacksonville? That’s brutal. Honestly, it’s a gut punch for a guy who has been such a massive, if streaky, part of this offense. Now, Sean McDermott and Joe Brady are looking at a wide receiver room that is thinning out faster than a Buffalo winter afternoon.
The Josh Allen Factor and a Messy WR Room
Let’s be real: as long as #17 is taking snaps, the Bills are a problem for anyone. Josh Allen just finished a Pro Bowl regular season with 3,406 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, but he’s basically doing it with a revolving door of targets.
With Gabe Davis on IR and Joshua Palmer already there with an ankle issue, the Buffalo Bills depth chart at receiver is basically Khalil Shakir, the veteran Brandin Cooks, and the rookie Keon Coleman. That’s it. That’s the core. Tyrell Shavers is still in the mix, but he gave everyone a scare with a knee injury in Jacksonville. He’s back, but how healthy? Who knows.
The big "maybe" right now is Curtis Samuel. He’s been on IR since late November, but the Bills just opened his 21-day practice window. If he can go, it changes everything. If not? You might see the Bills elevating guys like Mecole Hardman or Kristian Wilkerson from the practice squad just to have enough bodies to run a three-wide set.
Running Backs are the Secret Sauce
While everyone is panicking about the receivers, James Cook has quietly become the best thing about this offense not named Josh. He led the NFL in rushing with 1,532 yards. Think about that for a second. In a pass-heavy league, the Bills are actually leaning on a ground game.
The Buffalo Bills depth chart at RB is a bit banged up, though. Ty Johnson missed the Jags game with an ankle injury, which led to the absolute cinematic moment of Frank Gore Jr. making his NFL debut in a playoff game. Ray Davis is still the primary "banger" behind Cook, but if Johnson can't return for the Denver game, Gore Jr. might actually be a playoff factor. It’s wild.
Defense: Returns and Roadblocks
On the other side of the ball, the news is a mix of "thank goodness" and "oh no."
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Jordan Poyer is out for the Denver game. A hamstring injury has sidelined the veteran safety, and McDermott has already ruled him out. That means Cole Bishop and Darnell Savage (if healthy) or Cam Lewis have to step up in a stadium that is notoriously hard to play in.
But there is a massive silver lining. Ed Oliver is coming back. The Bills opened his practice window too, and having him back in the middle of that defensive line is huge. Oliver hasn't played since Week 9 due to a torn bicep and a meniscus cleanup, but his presence makes life way easier for Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa on the edges.
The Current Defensive Hierarchy
- Edge Rushers: Greg Rousseau is the anchor, but keep an eye on his back injury. Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa are the primary rotation, though Epenesa is dealing with a neck issue.
- Linebackers: Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard are the heart of the defense, but both are "improving" from injuries. If they aren't 100%, Dorian Williams and Joe Andreessen have to play the games of their lives.
- Secondary: Christian Benford and Tre'Davious White are the starters, but the loss of Poyer puts a lot of pressure on rookie Maxwell Hairston—assuming Hairston can return from his ankle injury.
What it Means for the Broncos Game
Basically, the Buffalo Bills depth chart is a reflection of a team that has survived a war. They are talented, but they are thin. The offensive line, led by Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins and O'Cyrus Torrence, has stayed remarkably healthy, which is the only reason this offense hasn't collapsed under the weight of the receiver injuries.
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Denver is the No. 1 seed for a reason. They aren't going to feel sorry for Buffalo’s medical report. To win, the Bills need Dalton Kincaid—who is luckily out of his walking boot—to play like a WR1. They need Dawson Knox to be the reliable safety valve he’s always been.
Most of all, they need the defense to hold firm without Poyer. It’s going to be a "next man up" situation in the truest, most exhausting sense of the phrase.
Actionable Insights for Bills Fans
If you're tracking the roster moves this week, here is what actually matters for your Saturday plans:
- Watch the Curtis Samuel activation: If he’s moved to the active roster by Friday afternoon, expect him to play a significant role in the slot.
- Monitor the Safeties: With Poyer out, see if the Bills elevate Sam Franklin Jr. or if they trust Cam Lewis to handle the deep half.
- The Ed Oliver Effect: Check the final injury report for "Full Participant" status. If he's limited, he might only be a third-down pass-rush specialist this week.
The Bills have the talent to win it all, but the depth chart is being tested in ways we haven't seen in years. It’s Josh Allen’s world; everyone else is just trying to stay healthy enough to live in it.