When the Buffalo Bills take on their divisional rival, the Miami Dolphins, the intensity has to be extremely high. Not only do they have a chance of having a commanding 3-0 record to start the season, but they also have the chance to put what could be the final nail in the coffin of this iteration of the Dolphins. Already 0-2 and leaving a players-only meeting behind, Miami is already on thin ice.
On the other hand, Buffalo has looked as good as any other team in the league with a legitimate chance to make the Super Bowl. A clash against their division rivals could help further cement that status. But neither team is going to have its full contingency in Week 3. Here are the players who have officially been declared out for the game from both squads.
Inactive List for Bills and Dolphins
Buffalo Bills
- WR Curtis Samuel
- OL Chase Lundt
- DE Landon Jackson
- DT Ed Oliver
- LB Matt Milano
- CB Ja’Marcus Ingram
- S Jordan Hancock
Miami Dolphins
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu
- CB Juju Brents
- CB Storm Duck
- TE Darren Waller
- DT Zeek Biggers
- WR Tahj Washington
- QB Quinn Ewers
Starters for Bills vs. Dolphins
Buffalo Bills
On offense, the Bills will feature:
- QB Josh Allen
- RB James Cook
- WR Keon Coleman
- WR Khalil Shakir
- WR Joshua Palmer
- TE Dalton Kincaid
- FB Reggie Gilliam
- LT Dion Dawkins
- LG David Edwards
- C Connor McGovern
- RG O’Cyrus Torrence
- RT Spencer Brown
Defensively, an evolving unit will feature:
- LDE Greg Rousseau
- LDT T.J. Sanders
- RDT DaQuan Jones
- RDE Joey Bosa
- WLB Shaq Thompson
- MLB Terrel Bernard
- SLB Dorian Williams
- LCB Tre’Davious White
- SS Taylor Rapp
- FS Cole Bishop
- RCB Christian Benford
- NB Taron Johnson
The special teams unit, without Tyler Bass, who remains on IR, will have:
- PK Matt Prater
- Punter/Holder Cameron Johnston
- PR, KR Brandon Codrington
- LS Reid Ferguson
The Bills’ three biggest questions going into the season were about the defense, the complexity of the offense, and Tyler Bass’s injury. Through three weeks, two of those questions have been answered fully.
Dolphins-Bills injury report: Player statuses for “Thursday Night Football”https://t.co/sDnVqOha9W pic.twitter.com/tJixQEfxkV
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 18, 2025
The offense has been spectacular in both its outings, with a steady balance between the run game and the passing game. Matt Prater, coming in place of Bass, has been excellent in his first two outings with the Bills.
However, after giving up 40 points to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, questions about the defense will persist until they have more regular outings like the one in Week 2.
Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle was questionable heading into this fixture due to a shoulder injury, but he will play against the Bills tonight.
On offense, the Dolphins will feature:
- QB Tua Tagovailoa
- RB De’Von Achane
- WR Tyreek Hill
- WR Jaylen Waddle
- WR Malik Washington
- TE Julian Hill
- FB Alec Ingold
- LT Patrick Paul
- LG Jonah Savaiinaea
- C Aaron Brewer
- RG Kion Smith
- RT Larry Borom
Defensively, an evolving unit will feature:
- LDE Chop Robinson
- LDT Zach Sieler
- RDT Benito Jones
- RDE Bradley Chubb
- WLB Jordyn Brooks
- MLB Tyrel Dodson
- SLB Jaelan Phillips
- LCB Jack Jones
- SS Ashtyn Davis
- FS Minkah Fitzpatrick
- RCB Rasul Douglas
- NB Jason Marshall Jr.
The special teams unit, without Jason Sanders, who remains on IR, will have:
- PK Riley Patterson
- Punter/Holder Jake Bailey
- PR, KR Malik Washington
- LS Joe Cardona
Losing 33-8 to the Indianapolis Colts was about as bad a start as the Dolphins could have predicted for their season. To make matters worse, an interception in the fourth quarter essentially signalled their second loss of the year to the New England Patriots.
With the fan base agitated enough to want Tagovailoa benched and head coach Mike McDaniel fired, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the situation gets better in Miami.
However, a miraculous victory over the Bills could be one of those unexpected balms that soothe the pain of the entire season and serve as a true turning point for the franchise.
