With just one week remaining in the NFL’s 2025 regular season, all eyes are on reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo is locked into a wild-card spot entering Week 18, while Allen continues to deal with an injury that has noticeably limited him.
The Bills’ Thursday injury report provided some clarity, but fans are still left wondering about Allen’s official status heading into the season finale.
What Is the Bills’ Latest Update on Josh Allen?
On Thursday afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Allen did not participate in practice for the second straight day due to a foot injury. Schefter added that the situation is setting up for Allen to rest in Week 18 against the Jets.
Allen sustained the foot injury back in Week 16 vs. the Browns. The quarterback was able to return to the game, but has not looked like himself since. Allen played through the pain in Week 17 against the Eagles but struggled again in a 13-12 loss in the final moments.
For a second straight day, Bills QB Josh Allen did not practice today due to his foot injury and it is now setting up for him to rest during Buffalo’s regular-season finale against the Jets. pic.twitter.com/tM6RwPdmAL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 1, 2026
Due to the loss, Buffalo missed an opportunity to claim the AFC East title and will enter the first round of the playoffs without home-field advantage.
The question now becomes whether it is worth playing a hobbled Allen or if Buffalo should prioritize rest and health, potentially sacrificing a higher Wild Card spot. Based on reports from Schefter, coach-speak, and Allen’s lack of participation in practice, it appears to be the latter.
#UPDATE: On Friday, the Bills confirmed that Allen, who was a limited participant in practice today, will play in Week 18.
Playoff Implications for Buffalo and other AFC contenders
The Bills (11-5) could climb as high as the fifth seed in the AFC playoff picture, but that depends on outcomes involving both the Chargers and Texans. The Texans (11-5) host the Colts, while the Chargers (11-5) travel to Denver to face the Broncos. The most likely scenario has the Bills moving up to the sixth seed with a win over the Jets and a Chargers loss.
If nothing changes from the current standings, the seventh-seeded Bills would be set to face the Patriots. Buffalo and New England split the season series, so a rubber match between the rivals would be highly anticipated.
If both the Chargers and Texans lose in Week 18 while Buffalo wins, the Bills would instead face the winner of the AFC North, either the Steelers or Ravens.
Nearly every spot in the AFC playoff picture remains unsettled. The top seed is still undecided, and there is room for movement throughout the bracket outside of the No. 4 seed.
As for Allen, if he were ruled out for Sunday, the 29-year-old’s streak of 139 consecutive starts would have come to an end. ESPN’s Field Yates did, however, offer a solution that Buffalo used in Week 18 last season.
Allen’s five-year streak of recording 40 total touchdowns may also come to an end, as he currently sits at 39, still an impressive mark. He has totaled 3,668 passing yards, 579 rushing yards, and helped lead Buffalo’s offense to the No. 6-ranked unit on PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric.
