Josh Allen is sore. That’s basically the headline every time the Buffalo Bills play a playoff game in January, but this time it feels different. We are sitting in early 2026, fresh off a wild 27-24 win over the Jaguars, and the Buffalo Bills depth chart is currently a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing and the other half covered in medical tape.
Honestly, if you looked at the roster back in August, you wouldn't recognize the secondary or the receiving corps right now. Injuries have absolutely gutted the depth, yet here they are, preparing for a Divisional Round showdown against the top-seeded Denver Broncos. It's the classic Buffalo story: high drama, a generational quarterback, and a "next man up" philosophy that is being tested to its absolute limit.
The Josh Allen Factor and a Shaky Backfield
Let's get the big one out of the way. Josh Allen is listed on the injury report with finger, knee, and foot issues. He says he feels "good," which in Josh-speak means he can probably still run over a linebacker if he needs to. But the reality of the Buffalo Bills depth chart at quarterback is a bit terrifying for fans. Behind Allen sits Mitchell Trubisky. That’s it. If Allen’s foot gives out in the thin air of Denver, the season rests on the shoulders of the former Bear.
Fortunately, the running game has actually become a pillar of this offense rather than a sideshow. James Cook didn't just play well this year; he led the NFL in rushing. Think about that for a second. In a Josh Allen offense, a running back took the crown.
The depth behind Cook is where things get dicey for the Denver trip:
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- Ray Davis: The rookie has been a goal-line hammer. He’s healthy and ready.
- Ty Johnson: He’s currently "questionable" with an ankle injury. He missed the Wild Card game, and while Sean McDermott says he’s "improving," he’s far from a lock.
- Reggie Gilliam: The fullback remains the unsung hero, basically a moving brick wall for Cook to hide behind.
The Wide Receiver Crisis: Who is Left to Catch the Ball?
If you’re looking for Gabe Davis on the stat sheet this weekend, don't. It’s been confirmed he’s out with a torn ACL. It’s a brutal blow for a guy who has been so "boom or bust" but always seemed to show up in the postseason. With Joshua Palmer also on IR, the Bills are down to their bare bones.
The active depth chart at receiver basically looks like a "Who’s Who" of guys Khalil Shakir has to carry. Shakir has evolved into the definitive No. 1 option. He’s reliable, he’s tough, and he’s basically the only starter from the beginning of the year who isn't hobbling.
Behind him, we have Brandin Cooks, who still has some wheels but is definitely in the "crafty veteran" stage of his career. Then there’s Keon Coleman. The sophomore has all the talent in the world, but he needs to find that playoff gear. The wild card here is Curtis Samuel. His practice window just opened, and he’s been a full participant. If he can go, it changes the geometry of the field. Without him, the Bills are essentially relying on Tyrell Shavers, a guy who was a practice squad staple not long ago.
Defensive Reinforcements and Secondary Scares
Defensively, the Bills are getting some massive help at the exact right time, but losing it elsewhere. Ed Oliver—the heart of that interior rush—is finally practicing again after a bicep tear that sidelined him since Week 9. Getting him back to rotate with DaQuan Jones and the massive rookie Deone Walker is huge. Walker is a literal mountain of a human, and seeing him next to Oliver is going to be a nightmare for Denver’s interior line.
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However, the secondary is where the nightmares live for Bills Mafia right now.
- Jordan Poyer: Ruled out. Hamstring.
- Maxwell Hairston: The first-round corner is out with an ankle.
- Tre'Davious White: He’s back and starting, but he’s basically playing on veteran savvy and grit at this point.
With Poyer out, the safety tandem falls to Cole Bishop and likely Cam Lewis or Taylor Rapp if he's healthy enough. It’s a young group. They’re fast, sure, but playing a Divisional game in Denver without your veteran "quarterback of the defense" in Poyer is a massive gamble.
The Linebacker Core: The Last Stable Unit?
Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard are the glue. When they are both on the field, the Bills' defense is a top-five unit. When one is missing, things leak. Bernard is dealing with a calf issue but is expected to play. If he can’t go full tilt, Joe Andreessen—the local kid who became a fan favorite—will have to step into the biggest spotlight of his life.
Special Teams and the Prater Gamble
Let’s talk about Matt Prater. The man is 41 years old. He re-injured his quad against the Jets, but somehow banged through every kick against the Jaguars. On a thin Buffalo Bills depth chart, you can't afford a kicking liability. The Bills are sticking with the veteran leg, mostly because in Denver’s altitude, a 41-year-old Prater can still probably hit from 60 yards if his leg doesn't fly off his body.
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What This Means for Your Strategy
If you're looking at how this roster actually functions on Saturday, keep an eye on the "12 personnel" (one RB, two TEs). With the wide receiver depth destroyed, expect a massive dose of Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. Kincaid was in a walking boot after the Jacksonville game, but McDermott called it "precautionary."
If Kincaid is limited, the Bills' offense becomes one-dimensional very fast. They'll have to lean on James Cook and hope the offensive line—anchored by Dion Dawkins and O'Cyrus Torrence—can move people.
Actionable Insights for Following the Bills Roster:
- Monitor the Saturday Activations: Check the 4:00 PM EST transactions on Friday. If Curtis Samuel isn't moved to the active roster, the Bills are going into Denver with only four healthy receivers.
- Watch the Safety Rotation: See who takes the first snap next to Cole Bishop. If it's Cam Lewis, expect Denver to test him deep early.
- Pressure is the Key: Without a full-strength secondary, the Bills' front four (Bosa, Rousseau, Oliver, Jones) must win their battles in under 2.5 seconds. If Denver has time to throw, the depth issues at corner will be exposed.
The Bills are currently underdogs for a reason. The depth is thin, the injuries are high-profile, and the road to the AFC Championship goes through a hostile environment. But as long as No. 17 is taking the snaps, the depth chart is always just a secondary concern to the magic he can make happen on the field.