No player is more important to the Buffalo Bills’ plans than Josh Allen. The reigning Associated Press NFL MVP took a shot to his face last week, causing some concern when he exited for a brief moment.
How will the quarterback protect himself against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night?
Josh Allen Expected To Sport a Helmet Visor Against Dolphins
Allen suffered a bloody nose when the New York Jets’ Michael Clemons clocked him in the face on a first-quarter quarterback keeper. Bills backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky entered the game for Allen, who headed to the sideline to plug it with gauze. Allen missed only two plays before trotting back out.
It won’t be as easy for any Dolphins players to hit Allen in the face, considering he’ll be wearing a visor in the primetime matchup. Allen hasn’t ever worn a visor during an NFL game, but he wore one while in college at Wyoming.
“He’s expected to wear shades,” ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler said on “SportsCenter” before the matchup. “During practice this week, he wore a white Oakley clear visor on his helmet, and so that is an option for him that he’s probably going to use tonight. He could also use some breathing strips. Probably doesn’t need them because he said he’s breathing just fine, so he has no restrictions.
“But the Bills, as they always do, hope that Allen doesn’t put himself in harm’s way for any sort of cheap shots at his upper body when he’s that dual-threat, running quarterback.”
From Buffalo: Josh Allen expected to rock the visor, has plenty of help in Bills offense; Taking stock of Miami’s 0-2 start and Mike McDaniel’s messaging this week
With @MattBarrie pic.twitter.com/RWPhSlGyey
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 18, 2025
Through two games this season, Allen has carried the ball 20 times for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Two of his scampers have moved the chains for Buffalo, who’s owned the AFC East since 2020.
Entering this season, Allen had 759 rushing attempts for 4,142 yards and 65 scores in his career. He’s compiled at least 500 yards on the ground in all but one of the past seven campaigns. Including this season, Allen is averaging 5.4 yards per carry in his career.
In the Dolphins, Allen and the Bills will square off with a struggling opponent whose head coach, Mike McDaniel, is on the hot seat. The signal-caller will hope to continue his success through the air, having gone 47 for 71 for 542 yards and two touchdowns so far.
Despite being banged up during the 30-10 win over the Jets, Allen went 14 for 25 for 148 yards in the comfortable victory.
